Currently Reading....

It's Tuesday!!  One more day closer to the weekend!  HA!

I used to be that person who couldn't read more than one book at a time.  This summer, I found out that indeed I can!  I read a lot this summer.  Summer is the only time I can really just read and read and read.  Once back to school hits, I read less. Or so I thought.

Today I'm sharing the books I'm currently reading!  Because there are actually quite a few!!

I said that I don't really read during the school year, but since it just began, I am.  Partly to finish up books I started while I was on vacation and partly because our principal assigned us a book to read!  HA!  And I am reading a book for book club too!  So I guess I'm starting the year off with a bang!





The book that I am reading and will hopefully finish for book club by next week is The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood.  I never read it in high school (and honestly, I'm a bit shocked it was ever even assigned to anyone is high school!).  I was really excited when I found out this was the September pick because I'm a big fan of the series on Hulu.  If this was not the pick, I'd most likely had taken this month off!  Wish me luck!









A book that my principal gave us as a sort of back to school gift/school book club read is FOCUS by Mike Schmoker. And in all honesty, I'm liking it a lot.  I'm not too, too far into it because I'm not sure what he's going to do with it with us, but it's all about scaling back and actually teaching less things, just "the essentials", with a more positive impact. I'm on board!

I'm getting more and more into the audio books these days as well.  I found myself up in the middle of the night a crazy amount this summer. So while I was awake  I'd listen to audio books.  When I found myself getting sleepy, I'd bookmark that that part of the book and set the sleep timer on my Libby app. Right now I'm listening to the YA novel, The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas. I like it a lot.  It's a mystery thriller. I always go into reading YA with the intentions that I can add the book to our school's library.  It's so hard to get the 7th and 8th graders to actually want to take out books.  This is NOT one that I can add, but I'm definitely enjoying it.








And last but not least I'm sharing a new daily devotional. If you've followed the blog for awhile, you may remember that I wrote a post with my best friend, Melanie about the qualities of a best friend after reading Nobody's Cuter than You by Melanie Shankle.  Last week she posted a photo on Instagram of Melanie's new book Everyday Holy and her 100 Day reading challenge. After reading my Mel's thoughts on the book I bought it and was about to catch up this weekend.  It is so good you guys!!  As a religion teacher, there are so many get points and nuggets of wisdom that I can share with my students.  After having to catch up, I'm sad now that I only read one day at a time!

Whew...this seems like  a lot all at once!  But I'm totally doing it!  

What books are you reading now?  I'm always looking for recommendations.  

Let me know!

Have a great Tuesday!  Hug your loved ones this September 11th and send a little prayer up for all those we lost on that day!

Read about the time my sister and I visited the World Trade Center here!

And calling all fashionistas!!  Tomorrow on The Blended Blog it's all about the CAMO!!  Link up your camo lovin' with us or share your look across your socials and ours.


Do you have a closet full of clothes and yet think you can't find anything to wear?  Or maybe your just looking for engagement and encouragement of a diverse group of woman who are all in the same boat!  If so, join our Facebook group!  Check it out here!

10 things you probably didn't know about me!

I love these kinds of posts! So much so that I've done something similar for the last few years on my birthday!  You can find those posts here, here, and here!  So when I saw this was the theme for today's TBB Link up I got excited all over again!  Because in all honesty, each year...each day really...brings out some new, random quirks as I get older!

So today I'm gonna share 10 things you probably really don't know about me!


1- I spend more time at my school than I do at home!

2- I'll admit it...have an unhealthy attachment to my iphone!  And I use it for anything but calls!

3- I have more clothes than any one person could need in three lifetimes. And usually when I let something go, that's the one thing I really wanna wear a few days or weeks later!!

4- I sometimes don't empty my dishwasher, I just grab things out if it as needed.  Lazy?!? Nah...I think practical!

5- I bought I new queen bed a few months ago...I can't say that I love it!

6- I buy flowers...for myself!

7- I take a lot of selfies!  Wait...if you follow me on Instagram, you might know what already! (If you don't, you can here!!) But a lot of times they're for the blog... and like the title says, t's a solitary life, so there's no one else to take pics for me!

8- Somedays "Girl Wash Your Face!" is on a constant loop in my head.

9-I truly believe in people being in your life for seasons, and I understand when it's time to let them go.

10- This Summer I went to my 10th Kenny Chesney Concert!!  You can read all about my love for Kenny here!!

Thanks so much for stopping by the blog today!  Now head on over to The Blended Blog and link up your own post of 10 things...I'd love to get to know you better! 

No blog? No problem...share something with me in the comments below or on your social media.  Tag me (@solitarylife101 and @tbblog!)and use the hashtag #TBBallaboutme!

May your coffee be strong and your Monday be fabulous friends!

Three Things...This is Us Edition!

Saw this on my girl Andrea's blog and when she suggested we play along, I jumped on it!!  I just love This is Us so much!!  And since it's finally returning tonight, I thought it was the perfect time to post!



So here goes...

Three Things
The This is Us Edition

3 Favorite Characters
Jack, Jack and Jack!  Just Kidding!

1-Jack
2-Toby
3-Randall (even though he's kinda annoying me this season!!)
Honorable Mention- Dr. K!  Steals the show every time he's on!!  I cried more during the scenes with Dr. K and Rebecca at Jack's services than I did when Jack himself actually died!!


3 things you'd grab from your burning house
1- Pillow and Blanket!  Because I've honestly had these things FOREVER!
2-My purse phone
3-This.... so I never forget that my first home was my happy place!

3 Favorite Slow Cooker Recipes 
1-3 ingredient Taco Chicken (here!)
2-Crock Pot Minestrone (here!)
3-My Sister's Chili! (I should really post the recipe sometime!!)

3 Favorite TV Series of all Time
1-Parenthood
2-Dawson's Creek
3-Friday Night Lights

3 Favorite Comedies (because Kevin is The Manny!)
Don't watch many comedies anymore, but these are definitely my favorite ever!!
1-The Office
2-Sex and the City (this is totally a comedy!)
3-Friends

3 go-to TV Watching Snacks
1-ice cream!
2-pretzels (the nubbs!!)
3-is wine a snack?!??!

Sadly, speaking of three things, there are just three episodes left until the season finale!!  Nooooo....

Enjoy the show!!

5 things I've Learned in my Thirties...

Today’s my birthday! And there seem to be a lot of people more excited about it than me!!  I think I’m indifferent! But I am looking forward to a fun weekend of celebrations with family and friends!

For the past two years on the blog, I’ve shared a birthday post with random facts about me.  36 was not too bad, 37 was a little bit harder! Rather than beat a dead horse (and damn 38 is a lotta random!) I thought since this year since the big day’s fallen on a Friday, when we typical share a Friday Fives, Friday faves and loves, I thought I’d switch things up a bit and share a five for Friday...

5 things I’ve learned in my thirties!!  

1-FRIENDSHIP has no AGE LIMIT!

One of the things I love about being part of The Blended Blog Collab is that even though we all span different ages-30’s, 40’s, 50’s, we still have much in common.  It shows that friendships have no age limit.  This is true in my daily life as well.  I have great friends who are in every stage of life... and every time we hang, it’s always a blast.  On any given Friday, our Happy Hour crew can span from 20-somethings to 60-somethings!  For me, it’s more about the person, their personality, values and beliefs (and fun factor!) rather than closing myself off to them because they are perceived as too young or too old.  

2-How to say NO
Ya know, I’ve spent too much life doing things I didn’t want to do!  So now if there is something I’d rather not do...I simply say no to it!  And I have no guilt or regret about it!  

3-I Don’t need a Man to Define Me!

Who I am is entirely up to me.  At this stage of the game, being single and in my thirties...some people think, I’m an old maid, some think other, not-so-nice thoughts about my singeleness... and I just think, I don’t need a man to make me happy.  Would it be nice to have someone to talk to once in awhile, to get sweet texts from on the daily, or  maybe to zip up my dress???  (LOL) Sure!  But I don’t need a man to make me happy.  I’m 38 today and right now, I’d say I’m pretty damn happy with where I’m at!

4-I’m gonna do whatever I want, when I want, because I can!!

Lately this has been my mantra. And I’m gonna stick with it. It's not to be meant to sound bitchy. It's just that, in this Solitary Life, I can. If I want to go out and have fun, I'll do it. If I wanna spend the day in my undies, vegging on my couch binging on Netflix and wine, I can do that too! Because no one's around to see me!! It's pretty much the best of both worlds!

5-You’re only as OLD as you Feel!

When I was younger, 38 seemed so old to me!  But now, NO WAY!!  How in the hell am I 38??  How in the world did that happen?  Am I getting carded at bars anymore? Nope!  But those AARP mailers??  They are a-comin’!!  I guess I can no longer say today I’m 29 for the 10th time!!  

I know it’s silly, but every time I see those Facebook quizzes that say things like “How old are you REALLY?”, “How old do you feel”, or “Can we guess your age?” I always take them...for shits and giggles!  I took one recently and it came back with the age of 24. I’ll take it!  Do I sometimes feel 75 though too...some days!!  But I have more days where I feel young , so I’m just gonna live it up and take each  day as it comes!!

Linking up today with The Blended Blog for Friday Loves, Erika for Friday Favorites, Tif for H54F

V-Day! Me Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

 It's a day of love, candy, and flowers!  Not a normal single gal's favorite day of the year, that's for sure.  But I've been single so long...it's just another day! So instead of a romantic dinner with a hot guy, I'm celebrating ME DAY, instead of V-DAY  Ha!!

I put this list together last Valentine's Day, and I kinda LOVE it so I thought I'd share it again (with an update or two)! And it's not just for the Single Gals!! Hope you'll find something fun in it too!

1- Buy yourself some flowers!

2- Indulge in all the chocolate...Valentine's Day's a great excuse! (There might be a pint of Ben & Jerry's waiting for me in the freezer!!)

3- Open one of the "good" bottles of wine tonight, even if you are alone!  YOU ARE WORTH IT!!

4- Wear a red bra and panties...even if you're the only one who sees 'em!

5- Plan a Galentine's Celebration with your best girls tonight or this weekend!

6- Watch all the romantic movies...

7- Be someone's secret admirer today!

8- Share a book you love with someone you love...big or little!

9- Listen to your favorite cheesy love songs all day.

Who remembers this one!  I had to include because it's totally making a comeback!  LOL

10- Dress for the day...heart socks, red shirt, fun graphic tee, red shoes, etc.

11- Write a love letter...to yourself... and tuck it away for days when you need a little pick me up!

12- Have a good, long soak in the tub...

13- Tell someone you love WHY you love them.

14- Most of all today and everyday....

In the words of Justin Bieber, You should go and love yourself!  Have a great day!!

Resolutions?!? Not so much...

Happy Monday!  Happy to be home today!!   Linking up with the ladies of TBB today to share resolutions...or not!

In my last post of the year I mentioned that I'm not really one to make resolutions.  I've tried and tried in the past, but by week two I always falter.  So this year instead of resolutions I'm tackling a goal.

2018 marks five years in my little house!  It's been a fun five years. So I'm making 2018 the year of the HOUSE.  I've spent to much money on fashion and clothes.  I need to get my priorities in order.   So it's the house...

 When I moved in five years ago, the place was brand spanking new.  Now five years later it's showing signs of wear.  It's in desperate need of a fresh coat of paint.  I've been wanting to do it forever so that's one of my big goals.  By the end of the year, I'd love the whole place to be painted.  And now that I've painted an accent wall in the living room, I'm even that more excited about it!!  So sooner rather than later, it'll get done.

The next two goals go hand in hand and the house!  I need a new bed.  I have not been sleeping well, and I thought changing up my mattress pad would help but it hasn't. So I need to invest in a bed. And I know it's another big expense, but it's deserved. My sister and I calculated that the bed I have now is from 1994...lol!! So clearly it's happening!!

After I get the new bed I can finally set up my old bed in my guest room and figure that whole debacle out!  Like it been FIVE YEARS!!  And then maybe after five years I can have some guests!!

Really these are a few goals under the whole umbrella of the house!  I'm confident, just saying it's one BIG goal that I have all year to complete, I know I can accomplish them!!

Fingers Crossed!!  Have a wonderful week and thanks for stopping by today!!

10 on the 10th

I’ve decided to try my hand at some new link ups this year as a way to help me get reinvigorated and reimbursed in the blogging world.  I’ve seen a few blogger friends join Erin at The Perfectly Port Family’s Blog for her 10 on the 10th.  I always enjoy finding new, fun blogs!  And after looking at this year’s posts, I’d love to jump on in.

Today’s post is 10 random facts about me!  This I can do!  LOL  I’ve shared fun facts about myself many times on the blog! {Here, Here, and Here!}

Here are a few more you might not know!

1- Sushi is always the answer!

I could live on sushi alone.  It’s my favorite!!

2- If I didn’t have to leave my house in the winter, I wouldn’t!  

I am NOT a winter girl.  I HATE the cold.  Sure there are upsides to the winter like bundling up in cute accessories, but I’d rather not.  When I tell people I hibernate in the winter, I’m not kidding.  I’m in bed every night at 8 with a book, and asleep by 9, because quite simply there’s is nothing else to do.  It’s dark and cold...and I just want to end the day!!

3- I get more “house chores” done in 20 minutes in the mornings than any other time of day!  

Laundry, dishes, toilets and sinks, tidying up, etc. I think it’s because when I get home, I’m just too tired from the day!

4-  I’m not a phone person...like AT ALL!  

I prefer to text and I think it’s because I hate my phone voice.  Just like I hate my voice in a microphone!  Maybe I just hate my voice in general.  

5.  I don’t do doctors!

Unless absolutely necessary.  I know this is not a great way to be , but it’s the truth.  

6-I love to travel but I am not a great “solo” traveler.

It’s true!  I must have a drink before and can’t forget my essential oils for the flight!!  I’ve decided though that the best flights for solo travelers are the Red Eyes!  When  I went to Vegas with a few ladies of The Blended Blog  back in November, Nicole and I had separate red eye flights.  Nicole, god bless her, spent 4 hours in the airport before hers to hang with me, and while we waited we split a bottle of wine.  I got on that flight, two glasses in (maybe more!), sat down in my seat, put on my Lavender and Stress Away oils, and fell asleep before we left the ground. I woke up when I heard the pilot say “prepare for landing!”  Score!  He also seemed to haul ass in the air to get us home a whole extra hour early!

7- Married at First Sight is my guilty pleasure.

Have you seen it.  It’s just crazy!!  But it really works.  The show have indeed matched happy couples.  Highly recommend!!  

8- I’m a teacher who looks forward to days off and vacations more than my students do.

9- I consider myself someone who has a lot of friends, but I compartmentalize them...  

I know this is a little weird but I do.  I’m not like my mom who has big parties and invites everyone she knows.  HA!  I feel like I have work friends, forever friends, friends I do Girls' Nights with, and town friends. There have been a few times when these friends have mixed, and I'm never comfortable with it.

10- I talk to myself!

I know what you are thinking... this is not so random, lots of people talk to themselves.  But the way I do it is... so I’ve saved the most random for last.   Living alone, it’s even worse!  I have legit conversations with myself.  Things I say to people, or wish I’d said to people.  And I imagine what they would say to me.  This is done in my kitchen, sometimes shower, sometimes at night when I can’t sleep!  Sometimes I am able to get the words out in actually conversations when I talk to that person, but a lone talking to myself, I’m more bold!!

That was fun!! I'd love to get to know more about you too! Leave me a comment with a random fact about you below! Thanks for stopping by today!

New summer favorite!

This top's from Canada, Eh!

Love, love, love this white top!  It's on heavy repeat!  I bought it back in May on my trip to Toronto with the ladies of The Blended Blog.  When we shopped, I picked things up from stores we don't have here in the States.  This one's from R.W. and Co.  It's so super cute, and I get so many compliments every single  time I wear it!!

 Love the lace sleeves and even the back detailing is cute...wish I had a pic!

I paired it here with my orange go-to's from JCrew Factory {similar here}, but it looks great with any color really, prints, etc...I'd even do white on white!

Now that I'm looking at it, I realized why I paired it with orange...maybe to match the glasses?!?  I've have been reaching for the color orange so much this summer...now I think I know why!!  LOL

What are you wearing that you just love this week?  Let me know in the comments below!  And link up your style posts with us over at The Blended Blog!

Three things...Thursday!!

I saw Andrea do this in her post on Monday and thought it'd be fun and so I'm trying it today!!  It's called three things and a bunch of bloggers to it too...I've adapted it to...ME!!

Three things I'd never give up

coffee

wine

books

Three favorite vegetables
Avocado 

Sweet Potatoes

peppers (any color!)

Three shows I watched faithfully from beginning to end
Parenthood

One Tree Hill

Alias

Sex and the City

Blue Bloods 

(I know that's more than three!)  

Three places I want to visit inside the US
Seattle 

Indiana/Notre Dame
The Fly Over States 

Three places I want to visit outside the USIreland

Bora Bora

Cabo

Three things I always have with me
Phone

Hair Tie

Lipstick/gloss

Three most recent calls were from / to
My Mom

My Mom

My Mom

(She's the ONLY ONE who calls me...I'm a total texter...I hate my phone voice!)

Three most often used makeup products
Foundation

Bronzer

Mascara

Three things that make me laugh Friends

Jimmy Fallon

TV comedies

Three things that make me cry

movies

Zillow Commercials

Books

Three of my greatest blessings

Family

Friends 

A home of my own

That was so much fun...and really hard!  Join in on the fun, just copy and paste and add your own answers!!

Have a great Thursday!

Summer in Full Bloom!

You Guys!!!  I am so excited about today's post!!  Because my blog pics are so good!!  They're like finally like REAL blog pics!!  It's all thanks to my photographer bestie, Mel!  Mel's big hobby is photography and she is GREAT at it!  So I was really excited, when, on a whim, I asked her to take some blog photos for me, and she agreed.  And did she ever...I think she was more excited about it than I was at the time!! She was super prepared, had great ideas and, obsessed over flatlays!! THANKS MEL!!

Today I'm sharing two looks that I keep grabbing out of my closet this summer. (It's about who you see, right?!?) I'm on a floral kick right now...

A February in Numbers

Joining Deena today to recap my February in Numbers! These post are always a lot of fun and most times they have me saying EEEEEKKKKK....

Was back to getting my Hello Fresh meals in February.  I received 1 delivery and really enjoyed all three meals.  I think my goal going forward is going to try to get one delivery each month!  Seeing how that goes, until summer vacation.  Then maybe upping it to two a month!  And how did I take 0 pictures of my meals!?!


2 Snow Days! At first I wasn't happy about them because I wanted a five day weekend for the Memorial Day holiday in May, but after seeing the over 12 inches of snow dumped in my town, I welcomed the days off.

And just for fun I thought I'd add this....because TV is kinda my thing!  The 400th episode of Law and Order: SVU aired in February.  The number of episodes of SVU I've seen over the years...400!  I've never missed an episode!  

The 2 snows days off pushed back our 100th Day to Valentine's Day, but we made it...and now there are only 77 days to go!!

5 Fabulous Vacation Days!  The Presidents' Week is always our winter break!  It was a glorious one this time around.  We got lucky with record temps close to 70 that week.  I even sat out in my rocking chair for 3 hours getting some sun and I made...

1 trip to the beach....in February!  It wasn't to lay out or get color but I did see some cute seals and got blown away!!

I saw 2 full length movies, 5 Oscar nominated shorts and 3 highly commended animation short films this month. La La Land and Jackie were both rather different but good.  The animated shorts were excellent, but in my opinion, not many were actually for children!  HA!

$101.51 back from Ebates from all my Christmas spending....whooooooo  If you don't use Ebates, you definitely should!!

2 Dress Downs at school...my most favorite days of the month!!

3 Thursday nights spent at my new favorite restaurant in town.

1 birthday celebrated...Cheers to 37 Years!  3 birthday celebrations!  100's of birthday wishes....HUGE THANKS to everyone!!

2 books completed, 2 more started!  (Thank you snow days) Read my review of Big Little Lies here!

Unfortunately, I did not remain shop free in February.  I shopped and spent.  But I had lots of birthday gift cards and rewards that helped keep my spending low...5 packages received!

Once again, most of my money was spent on food and drink!  At least I'm consistent!  Too much to calculate!  LOL

But I saved some money too!  Still working on my penny challenge. So far I've collected $11.37

February on the blog

# of posts = 9  This short month saw me short on posts!
Post with the most views: 37 Things for 37 Years both on the blog and on Facebook
#Number of Feature posts on The Blended Blog = 2
Check out my Tasty Tuesday Salsa Chicken here and The Blended Blog Loves post here!
47 pics posted to Insta and lots of new followers!  YAY!  Follow me @solitarylife101


Whew...It was a great February!  Hooray for March...longer days and warm temps that stick around!!

Thanks for stopping by today...have a great Monday friends!!