Afghan 51

 Here's the latest in the afghan train:

This is Joyce Nordstrom's summer lace afghan in Red Heart's gold yarn. (Yes, I used the same color for afghan 47.) I had some leftover yarn and wanted to use it up.

I don't know if my hand is better or worse after the last botox injection, but I've needed to crochet. Moving my hand helps quiet my mind, and with a new job and the fire and life, my mind's been busy. I actually finished this afghan while listening to a Chasing Joy podcast. It's a new favorite because of its focus on joyfully living your own life.

That's all for now from me, but what about you? Do any readers want to share an activity they do to quiet their mind in times of busyness and stress?

Wisconsin: Day 2

We rose bright and early Tuesday morning so that we could head to brother's work. He lives about 30 minutes away and arrives by 7 am. Hats off to him!

I crocheted and listened to podcasts while brother went to meetings. Some of my latest favorite podcasts are:

The Chasing Joy Podcast
Sounds Good

Brother graciously took half a day off work to show me his workplace. It's pretty cool! Granted, I had to endure 30 degree cold temperatures and wind (I know, that's warm for Wisconsin, but it was cold for this sunshine girl.). First stop, seeing this tree house built with scrap lumber from the actual buildings.

Then we saw the farm campus. (Each campus has a theme.) I asked brother to take pictures of me in front of the buildings, rather than just taking scenic shots.

Each campus has a cafeteria, and we dined at one. This white bean chowder was spicy, and to be efficient, brother picked the same thing, and it was too spicy for him. I felt really bad about that!

After lunch, we visited the fountain. Brother tells me it runs until it freezes over, which is apparently a real thing up north. One stream that feeds the fountain was already partially frozen. There's a pond which eventually freezes hard enough for ice skating.

Another campus we visited had a Lord of the Rings theme. Here I am in the grip of an Ent:

Brother said we didn't see all of the campus, and I believe him! Still, we walked over four miles to see the parts we did.

We climbed quite a few stairs, as shown by the elevation map. We also went down a slide. (How cool is it that a workplace has a tube slide for adults?)

Post tour, we rested a bit at home and then hit up the grocery store for some needed Thanksgiving supplies. Let's just say the cupboards needed a little stocking:

We shopped at a two story Target. When we got to the escalator with the cart, Brother had to show me that the cart had its own escalator:

The city-folk probably laughed at me as I took pictures of the cart, but hey, I've never seen a cart escalator before. Have you?

Dinner was vegetable bao zi at The Dumpling Haus. Brother knows that I like trying new food, so he intentionally took me to exotic restaurants.

Post dinner, I sorted food and organized the kitchen. Then it was to bed for me.

Day 3 to come tomorrow.

My Lack of a Smile Doesn't Mean I'm Unhappy.

If you've read my blog for awhile, you know that I'm a fan of the Chasing Joy podcast. As I listened to Episode 45 with Marian Mellen, I was struck by her comment about smiling in pictures. She noted that Americans feel forced to smile in pictures and show that they are happy, while this isn't so in other countries. As I pondered her statement, I got to thinking about how this country, and especially Christian culture might too strongly associate happiness and smiling.

Although I consider myself a happy person, I'm not necessarily a smiley person. As I've started singing on worship team at church, I've gotten several comments about how I need to smile more. Okay, I'm working on it. But really, do I need to smile while I sing? God is a high and holy and awesome God. Sometimes when I sing, I'm not smiling because I'm standing in awe of God. Sometimes when I sing, I'm not smiling because I'm focusing on the words, lyrics, or music. Sometimes when I sing, I'm just not thinking about smiling and my face is in its natural resting state. I'm okay!

I'll keep trying to smile while I sing, as I know it improves the worship experience of others, but in the meantime, can we work on accepting non-smiling faces? Sometimes people are hurting. Sometimes people are thinking. Sometimes people are sad. Sometimes people are even happy. They just might not be smiling.

I'm linking up with Amanda at Running with Spoons for this Thinking Out Loud post.

What's Helping Me Get Through

Work's a little busy. Life's a little crazy. How am I getting through? These five self-care practices help:

1) Slow breakfasts: Giving myself 45 minutes to sit and eat and scroll through my phone. Admittedly, I can get overly caught up in negative research on my phone, or fall into the comparison trap of social media, but overall, it's a good habit.

2) Sleep: I can't get enough of it, and weekend naps are key! I sometimes give up other social engagements or activities to get in my time. Sleep is just so important right now.

3) Podcasts: Filling my mind with positive thoughts helps fight the negative ones. External noise also helps quiet the internal noise. Right now, I'm a major fan of The Chasing Joy Podcast with Georgie Morley. It's positive content and helpful tips for living a life of overall wellness. Double win!

4) Eating more protein: Days are long and being hungry/having low blood sugar just isn't good. So even though I'd like to be vegetarian, I've started eating more meat. I've also started supplementing my diet with and protein powder and protein bars. Right now, I just need that little "extra."

5) Moving: I still haven't quite figured out the right rest and exercise balance, but moving feels good, especially when I sit at a desk or ride in a car all day. Sometimes movement is walking, sometimes slowly running (or trotting, as I prefer to call it), sometimes yoga, and sometimes weightlifting and/or HIIT. Movement just makes the day go better, and sometime being sore gives me something to focus on other than ruminating about the craziness of life

These are the current ways I'm practicing self-care, but what about you? What's getting you through right now?

Everything I Read in November

Is it me? Or is it my life? When I first sat down to compile my reading list for this month, I was not happy with my list. I was frustrated with myself and my continued inattentiveness and lack of reading. Then I added a bunch of books to my list here at the end of the month, as I had time off work and a little out of town adventure. That makes me wonder if maybe I'm less inattentive than I thought, and reading just doesn't fit in well with the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Nonetheless, I fit in reading where I can. Here is the result of that this month:

108) The Theory of Happily Ever After by Kristin Billerbeck—Okay, I actually liked this one. Dr. Maggie Macguire is having a pity party after being dumped by her fiancée. Her friends Katharine and Haley take her on a singles cruise as a keynote speaker on happiness. That is Maggie’s research area, after all. The only problem is that Maggie isn’t sure she believes in happiness anymore. The story follows her as makes her way back to happiness, through love and healing. This is a sweet story with just a little bit of mystery. Happily every after may be a farce, but maybe, just maybe there is some purpose to find in the pursuit of it.

109) Don’t Call It A Comeback: What Happened When I Stopped Chasing PRs, and Started Chasing Happiness by Keira D’Amato with Evelyn Spence—This was a good book, and a hard book, and a sad book. I would also say that it is a real, honest, genuine, and vulnerable book. That is who Keira D’Amato is: a gritty competitor with a snarky sense of humor, but also a mom who lives everyday life. D’Amato lays it all out in this book, her first go-round with track that ended due to a surgery for a congenital deformity that she couldn’t afford, to her most recent bid for a spot on the 2025 Olympic team. D’Amato writes honestly and vulnerably about her struggles as a young military wife and now, the guilt of leaving her kids to compete. She writes about what it took to get to where she is, and about why she stepped off the roads in the 2024 Olympic Trials. There is some language and crude humor in this book, but also a lot of quotes worth requoting. I guess what makes me most sad about this book is how passionate D’Amato is about her sport, but about a sport that will not last. Don’t get me wrong. I really enjoy running. I also want to run as long as I can. I appreciate D’Amato’s story and find it inspiring, especially the parts of going for big goals. Her is also a little bit empty, though. What will happen when D’Amato can’t comeback from a failure, when the happiness of this life fails? I hope and need to pray that she finds salvation in Jesus, because one day He will come back for his own, and I believe that only by living for and in Him will humans find ultimate joy.

110) Heart of the Country by Rene Gutteridge and John Ward—Faith and Luke fall in love, abandon their families, and elope. They have it all: the posh New York life, romance, and bliss, until they don’t. Luke walks out on his father and his father’s business and falls into crime. Faith walks out on Luke. Though she returns home to North Carolina, Faith’s life isn’t there. Her father becomes ill. She waits for divorce. Yes, the plot line had some pretty apparent prodigal son parallels, but it also had some nuances, some unexpected twists and turns, and a fun writing style (with first person perspectives from all of the characters). I guess this book is also a movie, but I did not know that until I read it. Having read the interview at the back of the book between the author and the filmmaker, I think the book version is probably the better portrayal of the story. And don't worry, it does have a happy ending!

111) Violette Between by Allison Strobel—This was an interesting book, about artist Violette Corterm and psychologist Christian Roch. Both are widowers trying to rebuild after their losses, but then tragedy strikes again. Violette falls from a ladder while painting a mural and falls into a coma. From there, the story alternates between her looking back on her life from a bird's eye view and Christian sitting my her side waiting for her to wake up. This is a moving portrayal of grief, love, and life after a first love. I did find the ending a bit abrupt, but overall, I enjoyed reading this book for something different.

112) Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions Into Adulthood by Lisa D’Amour—Dr. Lisa D’Amour is a psychologist, and one with a specialist in teen girls. In this book, she unravels seven strands of teen development, normalizing teen behavior and telling parents when they should worry. Written in a matter-of-fact style, with both professional sketches and personal anecdotes from herself and her own family, D’Amour provides practical and accessible advise and expertise. She is also fairly values-neutral when it comes to morality. Instead of imposing a worldview, she presents research about what behaviors are risky to teen girls, and how parents can address them, in the midst of, and sometimes in spite of their own values. I think this is a very helpful book, one that might help set a lot of parent minds at ease as they navigate the ensnarling world of adolescence with their daughters.

113) Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish by Bethany Turner—This book was underwhelming. Tagged as Christian fiction, it mentioned Jesus a few times, but was otherwise devoid of spiritual content. About frenemy cooks Hadley Becket and Max Cavanaugh, it felt a little bit too good to be true. (Max overcomes his alcohol addiction just through one treatment stint? And Hadley overcomes her family issues just overnight?) The denouement also seemed to come a little too suddenly. Overall, this book just felt empty. Despite the decent writing quality, I don’t think I’ll be looking for a next book from this author.

114) Becoming Trader Joe: How I Did Business My Way & Still Beat the Big Guys by Joe Coulombe with Patty Civalleri—This was an interesting book! Coulombe says he wrote it for other business people like himself, but as a lay person I still found it engaging to read about the way he built his business. From starting out with dying Pronto Markets, to several iterations of what is now Trader Joe's, Coulombe crafted a store built on foundations of paying employees well and finding creative ways to keep costs low. Although Coulombe writes that he does regret selling out to the owners of Aldi (due to things that transpired afterward), he went on to help other struggling companies and sit on corporate boards. (He writes that he purposely did not leave his business to his children, because he wanted them to be able to live their own lives, and according to him, they have—successfully!) Although I am not sure where Joe Coulombe stood faith wise, I think it can be reliably said that he left a legacy behind him.

115) Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones—Save time to read this really good book! Unlike with some of the other books I have read lately, the story line of Saving Grace Girl's home founder Lucy Wiltshire and Congress candidate Alex Sinclair pulled me right in. Lucy has been hurt and is hurting. Alex tries to cover up his hurt with good deeds. Lucy and Alex drive an uncanny bargain to act engaged, for both their sakes, but then fall into something deeper. I read this book pretty much straight through and could not have asked for a better integration of mystery, love, and spiritual truth. It probably helps that I am familiar with the real Saving Grace organization, and that I needed the truths about love and forgiveness and grace and truth and self-worth. I cannot remember the last date I stayed up late to finish a book, but I did for this one, and it was a joy to do it!

116) The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff—This is not my normal type of book, but when Hungry Runner Girl mentioned it on her blog, I was intrigued. Written by a social worker, it is the story of Ryan and Lillian Bright, two broken people trying to overcome their pasts. Trigger warnings abound for all the things: addiction, abuse, death, eating disorders, miscarriage, sex, suicidal ideation, etc. This is not a book to feel good, but it is a real book, a true book, looking at addiction from the perspectives of wife, daughter, and addict. Parts of this book startled me. Most of it saddened me. There were a few bright spots, and when I read this statement in the acknowledgements, I was really glad I read: “Thank you to the One who created this world with its sun and shadows, and who offered redemption to those of us who seek.” There is hope. There is brightness: not always where and how we look for it, but always through Jesus.

117) A Sugar Creek Christmas by Jenny B. Jones—This was another book set in an environment I know: Northwest Arkansas. It’s about news anchor Emma Sutton who goes home on sabbatical, a sabbatical that could make or break her career. There she meets her ex-fiance Noah Kincaid. They rekindle their relationship, but they are both going to have to face the past and forgive. They are also going to have to make some sacrifices to make their relationship work. This was a fun Hallmark-ish story, but a little too heavy on steamy romance scenes, which detracted from the heart of the story. While I enjoy reading romance, what matters to me more is the heart behind the story.

118) Wild Heart Summer by Jenny B. Jones—This is a short novella set in Sugar Creek, Arkansas. It’s about loss and love and long-held secrets that must come to light. Truthfully, this story about culinary student Avery Crawford, ranch hand Owen Jackson, and ranch owner Mitchell Crawford packs a lot in—and does it well. Yes, the plot moves at a wildly fast pace, but it has to for a novella. While not my favorite book by this author, and not without some innuendo I could have done without, it was worth an hour or so of my time.

119) 50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days—and How You Too Can Achieve Super Endurance by Dean Karnazes with Matt Fitzgerald—Dean Karnazes may not be the most socially correct runner, but he may be one of the fittest. In this book, he details how he ran 50 marathons across 50 states in 59 consecutive days. One would think this is impossible, but Karnazes is an ultramarathoner, and he did it. There is a little bit of blood, guts, gore, and inappropriateness, but mostly, there is testimony to the power of setting one’s mind on a big goal, and drawing support from others to do it. This is an inspiring book, and one that includes lots of running facts and lessons along the way. I wouldn’t recommend copying Karnazes’ feat, but for readers who want inspiration for running in general, this is a good book!

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And on that odd number, that's a wrap for reading in November. Have you read any good books lately? If so, please share in the comments section!

Everything I Read (and Listened To) in February

I read a little less this month, both audio and paper. One of my audiobooks (looking at you, Open Book) was really long, and my audiobook listening tapered off with my running. (I also wanted to catch up on some podcasts.) Still, what I read was mostly pretty good, and I am grateful for a great library system through which to get so many good books!

I think my favorite reads this month were from T.I. Lowe, an author whose first book was not that great for me. For some reason (maybe the compelling covers?), I gave her a second shot and really enjoyed her books. They are a bit heavy, but also SO redemptive, and that is my favorite kind of reading! With that, here's February's reading list:

17. Outer Order, Inner Calm: Declutter and Organize to Make Room for Happiness by Gretchen Rubin—Gretchen Rubin has dubbed herself a “happiness expert,” and this is her treatise on decluttering and its benefits on mental health. The book itself is an example of outer order, beautifully laid out and easy to read. I would not say that the tenets of the book are earth-shattering, but they are accessible, easy-to-implement, and practical. Rubin encourages readers not only to tidy up, but to consider the “why” of keeping things, and “why” decluttering them might be of benefit. Purpose is paramount, she writes. While not all find calm through order (as Rubin, and admittedly I do), this is a good book, and a resource I have already recommended to others of similar personalities to mine.

18. Open Book by Jessica Simpson [Audiobook]—I liked this book less than some of the other memoirs to which I have listened. I do not want to discount Simpson's experience, but so much of her story just seemed so, well, superficial. She had hard stuff happen (like an early childhood accident that caused speech delays, childhood sex abuse, etc.), but she makes fun of herself for it. Maybe that is her way of processing, but it just was not for me. Her flippancy about adversity, choosing to be live what I would label a promiscuous life after her divorce, etc. frankly irritated me. I did like the song portion at the end of the audiobook. That was a fun treat to have music linked with the written/read content. All in all, this is not a memoir I would recommend, but I still wish Simpson all the best and hope she is having a better life than the 75% of the book that covered her life up until her second marriage and child rearing.

19. Chasing Slow: Courage to Journey off the Beaten Path by Erin Loechner [Audiobook]—More memoir than self-help, this is the author’s story of never feeling enough, chasing more, and then deciding that she did not want more to define her. Loechner went from college girl, to LA resident with her film producer husband, to HGTV, to Mom. All the while, she tried to fight against a culture of more in order to live slowly. She calls the culture of “more” “the lion,” and she honestly depicts how it continued to call her back. In the end, she chooses a life of minimalism, but finds even that flat when lived without gratitude. Loechner shares some of her Christian faith, but weaves in quotes from other spiritual teachers, too. I would not call this book life-shattering, but it did have some good thoughts worth pondering, and if life is ever going to slow down, I am going to need to take some time to ponder lessons learned from those, like Loechner, who have been able to do that.

20. The Secret to Happiness by Suzanne Woods Fisher—Just like the first book in the Cape Code Creamery series, this one is a winner! It continues the story of Dawn and Marnie Dixon as they work to build their Main Street Creamery Business. Kevin is back, and he and Dawn are re-engaged at trying to plan their wedding. Dawn's cousin and rival Callie Dixon comes to visit, but she is not the same, battling deep-seated fears and struggling to re-engage with her career as a chef, one from which she temporarily stepped away from due to a massive mistake. A lot of this book revolves around Chatham resident Bruno Bianco and his class and book about happiness, and I have to say, the tips shared are pretty good! This story is special because there is a little bit of a mystery about a certain someone. I thought I had it figured out, and I actually didn't read ahead to confirm this time, but turned out to be right! All in all, this was a very sweet book, and I am excited to read the next installment in the Chatham ice cream shop saga!

21. Grown-Up Faith: The Big Picture for a Bigger Life by Kevin Myers with Charlie Wetzel—At its onset, this book seems like it might be a prosperity gospel-informed invitation to a bigger faith and bigger life. It’s really not, though. It’s a call to love God with mind, heart, and will (or heart, soul, and mind as the Bible puts it). It’s part apologetic, part theology, and a lot of encouragement to know the Word and live by the Word (with encouraged passages to read as well). This is a solid book, even if the author’s Wesleyan theology about salvation differs from mine. I think we could all use some admonition to grow up in our faith and faith-walk, until we meet Jesus, or He calls us home.

22. The Connected Parent: Real Life Strategies for Building Trust and Attachment by Karyn Purvis and Lisa Qualls with Emmelie Pickett [Audiobook]—This was a GOOD book, at least in terms of the work that I do. In it, Dr. Karyn Purvis and Lisa Qualls focus on the parenting aspect of caring for children from hard places. A great partner to The Connected Child book, it focuses on what parents can do to build healthy dependence (the basis for healthy independence), grow attachment, and creatively connect. Lisa Qualls is an adoptive parent herself, so she does not mince words about how hard connected parenting is. What she does do is give parents a path forward, based on both the work of Dr. Purvis and herself, as well as on her personal story. She also encourages practical self-care strategies for the marathon work that is connected parenting. This book has a special section on connected parenting for teens/older adopted kids, and I think that is very useful. I would highly recommend this book to foster parents, adoptive parents, and lay people and professionals who help foster and adoptive parents. This is a real life resource that will benefit all the hands, hearts, ears, and eyes that pick it up.

23. A Simplified Life: Tactical Tools for Intentional Living by Emily Ley [Audio book]—This is another great book by Emily Ley, and a short and sweet one at that! In this book, Ley lays out 10 areas to simplify: from space to faith. In each chapter, she shares some of her own journey, along with practical tips about how to simplify one's own life. I appreciate her gentle approach and encouragement to do what works for the person, instead of trying to follow some program, for instance, a specific brand of minimalism. This is an accessible book, one that it might do me good to revisit in the future as stages of life change.

24. Love on a Whim by Suzanne Woods Fisher—Like her best friend Dawn Dixon, Brynn Haywood has always been a person of routine and reflection. Suddenly, however, she finds herself having impulsively married a stranger, and then run away from him. She comes to Chatham to hole up with Dawn, and finds herself drawn into baking, and then buying her own bakery. What is with her? She asks herself. This is a sweet story that ties up well the multiple strands of stories swirled throughout the Cape Cod Creamery series. As with the other books, there are many life truths worth pondering woven in as well. I highly recommend this final book, and again, the whole series!

25. Secrets of Adulthood by Gretchen Rubin—This was a short, and easy read. If I’m honest, I read it primarily because it was short, and because I have a thing about wanting to read all the books an author has written. While I still have three or four more of Rubin’s to read, this is one of her more recent ones. In each of its sections, Rubin gives a short introduction, and then a collection of aphorisms (often one-liners) on that topic. I didn’t find anything life-changing, but there were some thoughts worth pondering. For those who have not read any of Rubin’s other books, perhaps this “secrets” book is a good place to start to see if her work is for you.

26. Lowcountry Lost by T.I. Lowe—Avalee Elvis is back in South Carolina, overhauling a ghost town as part of her Lowcountry Lost renovation business. What she's not prepared for is the return of Rowan Murray, her one time love, and the breaker of her heart. This is a tale rich in complexity: from Avalee's story, to that of Sebastian, or “Bash,” to that of the old town itself. This is a story of love and loss and finding love and family, even if in non-traditional ways. I would not recommend this book to young readers, but for mature readers who have seen the pains and evils of life, this is a testimony to the ability to live and learn after loss, to experience restoration after grief. Gain can come after loss, as least according to this Lowcountry story, and powerful as it is, I believe it!

27. Be Kind to Yourself: Releasing Frustrations and Embracing Joy by Cindy Bunch—In this book, Spiritual Director Cindy Bunch reviews spiritual practices she used to get through hard times, and to continue to ground herself today. Bunch's primary practice encourages a “daily examen” of writing down what bugs a person, and what brings brings joy. This is a way to connect with oneself, and with God. While I am not sure I will do many of the practices, this is one I think I will try for a while. Part personal story, part workbook, this read made me think, and I could do to slow down and do more of that.

28. Indigo Isle by T.I. Lowe—Hudson Renfrow is a recluse who lives on his own island, literally and metaphorically. Location scout Sonny Bates doesn't know why she keeps being drawn to his island, but she does, and over time, she breaks down some of Hudson's walls and befriends him. Meanwhile, she is fighting battles of her own. Separated from her family, she has made a lot of poor decisions, and they just keep coming. This story has Francine Rivers (Bridge to Haven, The Masterpiece, etc.)/Phantom of the Opera vibes, and is definitely not one for the faint of heart, containing representations of sexual abuse and trauma, as well as death, divorce, and a lot of other hard things. What is beautiful is how God slowly redeems both Hudson and Sonny, drawing them back into community, and back to himself. There are even specific discussions of mercy and grace. Add to the story some fun southern references (eg Carowinds), and this was both a meaningful and enjoyable read. While Lowcountry Lost is still my favorite book by T.I. Lowe so farm this was one also worth my reading time.

29. The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life Is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store by Cait Flanders—Cait Flanders had some bad habits she wanted to kick. She kicked drugs and then drinking by quitting them cold turkey. She paid off a ton of debt by being accountable on her blog. She had a job and money, but realized that she was not saving as much as she wanted, so she decided to go on a year where she didn’t shop. It wasn’t that she couldn’t buy anything, but that she had some rules about what was and was not approved. What wasn’t “approved” was superfluous stuff like take-out coffee, clothes she didn’t need, books, decorations for her house, and electronics. She could buy groceries, and gifts; eat out; and even replace broken things (but only if she threw the old thing away). What emerged was a year not just of saving, but of living according to her values, of getting rid of a lot of junk, and of living more simply. I will admit that this book made me, too, want to throw everything in my house in a heap and start mercilessly going through it, but I know that is not the stress I need right now. So instead, I took away from this book the desire to clear out more clutter, and to continue to think carefully about what I buy and bring into my home. I especially need to work on throwing away old things (looking at you, running shoe collection) when I buy new.

Overall, this book, as written by Flanders in first person, is both interesting and inspirational. Flanders looks at her motivations for binge-buying, and even shows flexibility in changing the rules of her no shopping year in order to better live according to her value of creativity. The book is a pretty quick read, and worth the time if living a simple, values-centered life is a priority.

30. Composing Amelia by Alison Strobel—I had a little bit of a hard time reading this book, then it captivated me, and then the end seemed underdeveloped. There was a lot of conflict between newly married Amelia and Marcus. The potential for marital infidelity at almost every turn made me feel on edge, but not in a good way. The story was well written, and reminded me some of the plots of Heart of the Country by Rene Gutteridge and John Ward and The Song by Chris Fabry. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for Amelia’s illness to resolve. There were good truths about church and pastoring and faith. I wanted more development around Amelia’s faith struggles, though, and more about what walking out a faith tested by fire looks like. Maybe that would have made the book too long. The author writes in her interview that her developmental editor had her rewrite 90% of the story. Maybe the end just didn’t get recomposed. I will probably try reading another book by this author, because this one, although good in parts, just did not come together right.

31. Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More by Courtney Carver—I think I idolize stuff (looking for safety, security, and comfort in it) more than I realize. That doesn’t mean I should throw everything away and become an ascetic, but I do need to lesson my attachment to things. This book encouraged me to do it. Courtney Carver is not a professed believer, but she does write about how a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis woke her up, teaching her to live in love, instead of in “stuff.” This book covers it all, from money stuff, to work stuff, to sentimental stuff. She encourages giving it away, selling it, or even hiding it (and then giving it away if forgotten.) The goal is to live in and enjoy the present, to slow down and savor everyday life. I would like more of that, which probably does mean I need to keep simplifying, doing with (and maybe even appreciating) less.

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Readers, what's been your favorite book recently? Please share in the comments section.

Celebrating a Birthday on the Cheap

I think that having a budget is important for everyone, no matter how much they make. Budgeting is especially important in our house right now, however, as we live off one income in an attempt to accomplish some life goals. Hence celebrating my birthday on the cheap. Yes, we could have set aside more money for celebrating, but I enjoy the thrill of chasing down a deal, so that's what I did. Here are tips if you want to do what I did:

1) Make time for things you love. One of those things for me is running. It doesn't cost anything, but I do need time for it. Cost of carving out that time: $0 

2) Sign up for loyalty rewards. Yes, the e-mails are pesky, but you get free stuff. For me, this was a small pillar candle. Value: $13. Cost to me: $0

3) Take advantage of free birthday meals. Yes, you might have to pay for your spouse and/or children, but you still save money. Value of hamburger: $5.84. Cost to me: $0. Cost of spouse's meal: $8.09

4) Add your birthday to earn points. Crumbl cookies is one business that gives you a freebie for doing so. Value of cookie: $5.30. Cost to me: $0. Cost of spouse's cookie: $5.30

5) Order yourself things you need, and save them to open on your birthday. I needed running shoes, which were not cheap, but a "gift," that is special. Cost of running shoes to the celebration budget: $0. Joy of opening: immense. Cost to my running budget: we won't talk about it (but I had enough in the fund to cover it).

6) Look for local free events. We are fortunate enough to have a university by us that frequently hosts events. This one was not spectacular, but it got us outside for an enjoyable evening.

Total spent on my birthday: $13.39 (plus gas)

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I think I accomplished my goal, and I enjoyed doing it! If you are a fellow cheap-ster, please share free or low cost ways you celebrate below. If you are looking for more resources about birthday freebies, I suggest the website Hey, It's Free!

Everything I Read in February

The reading roll slowed this month. I struggled to start some books, and then had some fits and starts in my reading progress. I did still read quite a bit, though, including another series by Becky Wade! I think my favorite book was number 23. Maybe it was not the best written book, but a book that combined running with faith and redemption? Sign me up.

14) Just Look Up by Courtney Walsh—Someone shouts, “Just Look Up,” at Lane Kelley as she rushes into the hospital to see her brother Nate, who is in a coma. She would rather be anywhere else than Harbor Pointe, but yet here she is. In the hospital room, she sees her old friend Ryan Brooks, the only person she remembers ever being kind to her. Lane tries to return to work in Chicago after visiting her brother, but then a health scare returns her home. She is forced to consider making amends, with her family, with her friends, and with Ryan. This is a sweet story about reconciliation, and about realizing what one has if they just look up...from pain, phones, or whatever is right in front of their faces.

15) Tired of Trying: How to Hold On to God When You’re Frustrated, Fed Up & Feeling Forgotten by Ashley Morgan Jackson—This was an immensely helpful book. Intensely personal, and practical, it reflects both on Jackson's own journey through the wrestle of anxiety and depression, as well as on Jacob's wrestle with God. Jackson encourages seeking God for strength, receiving God's grace, and leaning into the tiredness of trying, rather than fighting it. It is through the wrestle, Jackson asserts, that believers found their identities in God and are able to live out their callings to serve gGod and others. I would highly recommend this book, particularly to women, but men could benefit from reading it, too.

16) True to You by Becky Wade—Admittedly, I has a hard time getting into this book. It was just so cheesy, or at least the character Nora Bradford was. Then the book got good. As with all of Wade’s books (or at least the ones I have read so far), this is not an open and shut happy ending. Just when it seems all will end well, a problem is introduced, a big one, a problem of evil that causes the characters to wrestle with God, and with themselves. In this book, Nora must learn to trust God’s will wholeheartedly. Navy Seal John Lawson must decide if he really believes what God’s word says about redemption and being a new creation. There are character developments brewing in Nora’s sisters Britt and Willow, too. Needless to say, I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!

17) Traveling Light: Releasing the Burdens You Were Never Intended to Bear by Max Lucado—This is a typical Max Lucado book—conversational, kind, devotional; like a chat with a friend. It’s also personal, sharing some of Lucado’s own burdens and blessings, and weighty, in that it packs in some truth from God’s word, specifically Psalm 23. The book challenges reads to look to the Lord, who is not only the Good Shepherd, but also the Light. While I didn’t use the study guide for this book, it does have solid questions that could lead readers deeper into letting go and living for God. This world is not the believer’s home. Heaven is, and we who call ourselves Jesus-followers would do well to heed the call to drop our burdens and live lighter as we journey our way there.

18) Falling for You by Becky Wade—Minor character, Mustang football player Corbin Gray from Her One and Only returns in this story about Bradford sister Willow. A famous model turned innkeeper while her parents are away, Willow fights unforgiveness, against Corbin, and herself. Meanwhile, circumstances like a search for missing person Josephine Blake bring Willow up against forgiveness time and time again. Once again, this is a book with a lot of real life struggles, and with that, some mature topics like affairs, promiscuity, and more. Wade clearly points to the power of the gospel, though, and it changes the lives of at least three characters as they experience reconciliation with God and others. Much better than the first book in The Bradford Sisters series, this one swept my heart away, and I say that in a good way!

19) Because of You by Becky Wade—Short and sweet, this is the Christmas romance story of Britt Bradford's employee Maddie Winslow and her longtime crush Leo Donnelly. Maddie has liked Leo for ages, but felt guilty about it, because Leo was her best friend Olivia's husband. Between the grief of losing Olivia tragically years earlier and the awkwardness of now, Maddie has not been sure what to do about her feelings. When a Christmas outreach opportunity brings Maddie and Leo together, sparks fly. Maddie learns to make peace with the fact that the Lord gives and takes away. Together, they consider the joy God has set before them, and that growing in relationship to each other might be part of that gift.

20) Sweet on You by Becky Wade—Wade weaves mystery, suspense, and intrigue into this last book of The Bradford Sisters series. Zander Ford returns from his overseas travels to mourn the sudden death of his uncle Frank and finds a mystery on his hands. Britt Bradford wrestles with the idea that everyone keeps proposing to her: that Zander might want to be more than her best friend. The Bradford parents return from their mission trip. Nora marries John Lawson. Clint and Nikki start dating. The conclusion to all the stories is pretty dramatic, focusing on deep spiritual truths and the power of vulnerability. The second book in this series, Because of You, was probably my favorite, but I have to give the author props for the way that she tied up all the loose ends in this series closer. Props to her!

21) The Astronaut’s Wife: How Launching My Husband Into Outer Space Changed the Way I Live On Earth by Stacey Morgan—An engaging and insightful book, this memoir describes Stacey Morgan’s life not only as astronaut’s wife, but also an armed services wife and mom of four. Using an engaging writing style that goes back into the past while narrating the present, Morgan vulnerably shares her story. She writes of her hopes and her hangups, of the value of community, having fun, etc. The peak into the life of an astronaut returning during COVID may be of special interest to some. All in all, this was a good book with nuggets of trust that a reader can apply to everyday life, since few will be astronauts, or astronauts' wives.

22) The Best of You: Break Free From Painful Patterns, Mend Your Past, & Discover Your True Self in God by Dr. Alison Cook—This isn’t a theological book. It’s a psychological one, written by a doctorate level professional with both personal and work experiences related to being human. With that being said, I think this book does a great job of integrating faith and psychology. It is very easy to read and very accessible. (I would recommend this book before Aundi Kolber’s Try Softer—also a helpful book, but much more technical.” Each chapter begins with a vignette and ends with reflection questions that help readers explore further and apply concepts. Cook’s basic premise is that a strong sense of self is necessary to both knowing God and serving others. This might seem a bit backward, but for women who have been accustomed to ignoring themselves and playing small, this is a concept worth considering. All in all, I think this is a book that points directly to God, and correct theology or not, He is where the best lies, and in the end, He is who matters!

23) Chasing Hope by Kathryn Cushman—Brandy Philip has one shot at staying out of juvenile detention: working with previous collegiate runner Sabrina Rice. Neither wants to work with the other, but their grandmothers, being friends, implore them to do so. With fits and starts, Brandy starts running, and Sabrina battles the factors that prevented her from finishing her running career. This is a redemptive tale that wraps up perhaps a bit too neatly in the end, but was still so encouraging and inspiring. I look forward to reading more by this author, as she is new to me.

24) The Attachment Parenting Book: A Commonsense Guide to Understanding and Nurturing Your Child by William Sears, M.D., and Martha Sears, R.N.—Admittedly, this book is not quite what I was looking for. I was looking for a book about attachment science and forming healthy relationships between parent and child. This was more of a baby rearing book, and a dated (24 year-old) one at that. Still, I think it was interesting to read about the Sears' stance on attachment parenting (eg wearing babies in slings) and promoting attachment and bonding through proximity and attuned care. It is a bummer that the book is written primarily to moms, but it does promote respect for the hard work of moms and encourage fathers to be involved in parenting, too. For that, I give the Sears' kudos. I will probably look more for attachment theory books than attaching parenting books to inform my work, but if anyone wants an attachment parenting book, here is one!