Friday Loves

It's been FOREVER since I've shared a Friday post!  But last weekend, I spent some time with my blogging tribe! We ate, we drank, we shopped and beached!  And we talked The Blended Blog and Blogging.  I left feeling like I need to do more...wanting to do more!!! 

Today over at The Blended Blog we're sharing our love of fellow bloggers with a new (maybe old!) Feature Friday!  I'm heading on over there to link up my post...you should too.  Feeling rejuvenated on the blogging front, I read more blogs this week as well.  Here are some of the blogs I've loved this week.

Shaunacey spent the weekend with us in Hilton Head, but when she returned home to Barrie she was headed back to work after a year long maternity leave (three cheers for Canada's Health Care!!).  Before her first day, she shared a fabulous post that tugged at the heart strings...even for this non-mama!  I maybe loved it too because she centered the post around the song Seasons of Love from Rent, one of my favorite musicals!!  Read Shaunacey's sweet post here!

The teacher in my has had a hard time getting back into the swing of things myself, but I'm excited because Halloween is just around the corner.  The kids love Halloween, and I love the day off we get after it.  LOL  But I've been scouring Pinterest for some ideas to use in my library, and came across this super cute craft at I Heart Crafty Things.  Instead of using it in the library though, this year, my 6th graders are going to do this with their Pre-K buddies on Halloween.  So back to Pinterest I go!


I've been following The Single Woman, Mandy Hale  for years now! I've read all of her books, follow her on Insta, and just really enjoy her voice.  She's been posting leading up to her new book, You are Enough, that's out next week, and I'm getting super excited about it!!  Single or not, she's a good read.  Check out The Single Woman here!

I've posted lots of love for the clothes and ladies at Piper Street Shop on the blog.  So last week when they announced the store was closing after 5 years, I'm not gonna lie...my heart broke a little.  I love Sarah and Jenni, their clothes, and the love they show their customers on social media. I will for sure miss them!  The store is closing so that means deep discounts for customers.  Read all about the store's closing and their finals sales on their blog here.

I think this Kimono was one of my first Piper Street purchases!  It's still a fave!  I loved it so much I bought it in two colors!!

The last time I really blogged, Michael from Frankly, My Dear commented.  And ever since then I've been following her blog.  This week she posted a Bookish Q&A which I loved and hopped right on board with.  Yesterday I even posted my own version!  I'm so glad Michael found me and am so glad to now be able to follow her.  Check her out here!


How much fun was that!!  I'm heading over to The Blended Blog to link up...you should too!!

Have a great weekend!!!

Bookish Q & A!

A few days away with some of my favorite TBB Girls has got me all excited to start blogging again.  And even though I didn't have my act together for a Wednesday fashion post, I'm getting back in the game with all things BOOKS.  I was excited not too long ago to find, Michael's blog, Frankly, My Dear.  This week she posted some Bookish questions to answer and since I had Book Club last night, I thought it'd be the perfect place to start back up!!  Michael got the questions from Tanya at A Mindful Migration.  Glad to have found these blogs.

Here are my answers to Tanya's Questions:

Hardback or trade paperback or mass market paperback?

I like hardcover and trade paperback, but most of all I like large print books best!!  Easy to read and since I'm a huge supporter of my public library, I figure less hand have touched the large print books, right? 

Amazon or brick and mortar?

All of the above!  And definitely these days, my library!  I can request any book and they'll get if for me!  It's THE BEST!!

Locally owned bookshop or big name chain store?

I so wish we has a locally owned bookshop in my town!  I live in a town that has recently had a revitalization and in polls, believe it or not, a book store is the thing residents ask for most often!

Bookmark or dog-ear?

Bookmarks! I never dog-ear a page. As a librarian this is what I teach my students, so I'm practicing what I preach!!

Alphabetize by author, alphabetize by title or random?

I have books everywhere, so I'd say mostly random.  But I do keep my series together of course!

Keep, throw away, or sell?

I have a lot of books...and have kept them all for so long, even though I never really re-read.  I share and swap books, and donate.  I'll never throw them away, unless they are absolutely destroyed.  

Keep dust jacket or toss it?

Definitely a keeper!!  Makes the book look so pretty on my shelf! Why would anyone toss it?

Read with dust jacket on or remove it?

On until I read so much that I can't use it as a bookmark anymore...then I'll put it to the side.

Short story or novel?

I've read some wonderful, memorable short stories that I just love (Miss Brill is an all-time fave!!) but more often it's a novel that I'm reaching for.

Collection (short stories by same author) or anthology (short stories by different authors)?

Collection for sure!  If I'm being honest, I don't ever recall reading an anthology!!

Stop reading when tired or at chapter breaks?

I like to stop at chapters but sometimes I just can't keep my eyes open!!

“It was a dark and stormy night” or “Once upon a time”?

I'll take any hook that draws me in!!

Buy or borrow?

These days: Borrow!  I have a great public library and I just don't have anymore room or money to spend on books!!

A recent library haul!

New or used?

Since I borrow so many, I'll say both.  But I do love the first  crack of opening a brand new book!

Tidy ending or cliffhanger?

I like the tidy- ending!

Morning, afternoon or nighttime reading?

I read whenever I can...morning , noon, or night!!

Single volume or series?

I'll read anything. When the Harry Potter series came out, it was fun to wait for  and receive the newest one in the mail each time.  

Favorite series?

Harry Potter!

Favorite books read last year?

I'm trying remember if the Art of Racing in the Rain was one I read last year or if, now that we're in October, if I read it earlier this year!  But I LOVED it.   I have to check my Goodreads!  I also really enjoyed The Man Called Ove, which I know I definitely know I read last year!  LOL

Favorite books of all time?

Ooohhh great question!!  The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell.....FANTASTIC!!!  The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah is an all-time fave, as well as Rebecca, that I read in High school.  And WONDER is just my favorite!!!  Every human needs to read it!!

Now it's your turn! Answer these questions on your own blog!  And let me know in the comments below so I can hop on over and give it a read!!

TBB Asks: October 2.0

Eeekkkk...October!!  Finally feels like Fall!  Spent this weekend apple picking, drinking pumpkin ales and even eating pumpkin pizza!!  So am am ALL IN!  Excited for TBB Asks today with The Blended Blog...get in on the fun!!

1. Favorite Fall Color?

Honestly I like them all...I wear fall yellow, dark reds and even orange!

2. Apple Cider? 

Love it...and cold!  When I was a little girl we'd always get it fresh from a local orchard and cider mill by my grandparents house.  It was delish...nothing I've tried since can really hold a candle to it!

3. Caramel Apples?

No thanks!!

4. Pumpkin Doughnut or Apple Cider Doughnut? 

Actually, just had my very first apple cider doughnut this weekend! 

Don't I looked thrilled?? It really was super!!

5. Long or short cardigan?

Give me ALL the Cardigans!!!  A friend I used to work with called me the Queen of cardigans because I used to wear one with every outfit to work.  I pretty much have a cardigan in every color.

One of my fave fall outs...I'll still be rockin' blanket scarves this fall!

6. Favorite fall party food?  

Pumpkin Ales!!  This year, I'm keeping track of the ones I'm drinking.  Follow along with me on Insa here!

7.  Orange or white pumpkins?

Both but the white are really cool!

8.  Hayride or Bonfire?

I like hanging around the fire pit, so I'll say bonfire!  It's been forever since I've been on a hayride, but I do remember when I was it was a fun time!

9. Fall baked good:

Pumpkin Bread!  Warmed, with a lil butter!  I'll eat it for breakfast, lunch, a snack AND dessert!

10.  Most anticipated fall activity?  

Does NOT having to shave my legs everyday count??  Just kidding!!

My town's Fall Festival, which includes the Chili and Chowder Tasting and a pumpkin beer crawl, too.  I know this is terrible to say but this year, I'm praying that it rains on the scheduled date because I won't be around.  Then I can hit up the rain date when I'm back!  Because I'm really heartbroken to be missing it!!

Have a wonderful fall Season Ya'll!  And thanks so much for stopping by the blog today!!

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!

It's Throwback Thursday Y'all!!

Hey Friends!!  

Happy Throwback Thursday!!  It's the day when I revisit some of my favorite posts!!  Today, in honor of the new school year and yesterday's first day of school (insert sad face here! #summerforever), I'm sharing a special throwback for you!!

In addition to blogging here on The Mishaps and Mayhem of a Solitary Life (or these days, more accurately, just documenting life on Insta daily) I'm a contributor to The Blended Blog, with a super fabulous group of woman.  We are coming up on year three of our collective!  YAY!!

Two years ago on TBB I shared A Teacher's Survival Guide for Back to School.  It's how I survive as a teacher!  And guess what?  It still rings true today!!  So I'd love it if you'd hop on over to TBB and give it a read!!  And feel free to leave me a comment about how you survive back to school...either as a teacher, parent or just plain ol' human!!  If you are a regular, year round worker, are you hating the traffic these days??  LOL  Let me know!!

Find my original post here!!



And because it's #TBT and Back to School time, here's a bonus treat!!  An old school, school photos of me...in Kindergarten circa 1985.

First day of Kindergarten (Left)

First School Photo! (Right)
One I have never lived down!  When anyone asked me why I didn't smile I said, "The guy told me to look at his nose, there was nothing funny about his nose! This is probably the only time in my life I didn't smile for a photo & the only time my hair was not pin straight and whispy! {Why did my mom keep this?!?

Side note: I HATED EVERY SINGLE DAY of Kindergarten. I cried every single day and they had to send for my oldest sister , who was in seventh grade at the time to come and calm me down!!

All things Cozy!!

Hard to believe we are so close to colder weather, shorter days and cozy nights!!  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE me some Summer but I kinda can't wait for booties, jeans and sweaters!! Today is another edition of TBB Asks: How do you do COZY?  So Fun!!

Slippers?
I have them, but honestly , I don't wear them!!

Favorite Blanket?
My UGG Blanket...hands down!!

Thick of Thin Pillow?
Ummmmm....my pillow is super thin!  It wasn't when I got it in 5th grade.  It's the only thing my dad ever bought on the Home Shopping Network!  Now it has no less that seven pillow cases on it and is super flat.  BUT I seriously can't sleep without it!

Favorite Warm Beverage?
On the daily??  Definitely coffee.  But when I'm cozy on the couch under my favorite blanket?  Hot Cocoa...with a splash of RumChata of course!

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Robe?
Yes...but it's like with the slippers...hardly wear them.  I wrap up in my blardigan more!

Favorite Comfort Food?
Hmmm...that's tough!  I'm really not sure!  Maybe ice cream??

Movies or TV Series Binge?
Definitely a TV Series Binger!  This Summer I binged The Crown, The Staircase, The Handmade's Tale and caught up on the second season of The Sinner!  The Handmaid's Tale is just cray (reading the book now too!) and The Crown is my new fave.

Actual PJs or Leggings?
Since I actually wear leggings to work and out, PJs!  But I don't sleep in them!  I just wear shorties and a tank to bed!  I don't like much on when I sleep...it's too hot!  Then in the morning for lounging, I put on PJs.  The longest I've ever worn a pair of PJs is on Christmas day when my family wears PJs all day...it's our tradition!!

Do you cozy up on the couch or in a chair?
Definitely on the couch!

Hoodie, t-shirt, or Sweater!  
ALL of the above make me feel cozy for sure!!


TBB ASKS has quickly become one of my favorites of the month!!  Head on over to The Blended Blog and link up your answers with us.  It's always cool to compare everyone's answers!

Now I'm off to enjoy my last day of freedom before it's back to reality tomorrow!!  Boy am I going to miss Summer Vacation!!  Have a great day...and thanks for stopping by the blog today!!