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!!