Award Winning Tik-Tok Help

 This past month literally went by in a whirlwind.  

Last week I had a little break by attending an educational conference where I was recognized as 'Educator of Excellence' for my school system. 

I had the best time with my BTB- Best Teaching Buddy (from the past).

She picked me up and treated me to a fun time.

We laughed so much!

We laughed about the fact I only have one shirt (because I have the same one in my picture that I wore to the evening dinner).  

We laughed about the fact our other teaching friend joined us (on the wrong night by accident).

We laughed when I posed with my paper award...

that fell out of the holder!! 

It was so much fun but I couldn't help when I looked back at the photos that I looked a lot like 

Charlize Theron.

No.  Not this Charlize.

This Charlize.

For Real.

The problem is there is no time, and I can't do this life without an unGodly amount of Oreos.  

Not too mention that I spend too much money on my book habits for a true miraculous salon experience.

For Real.

Instead I tried a home makeover experience. 

In my research I found Paul Watts Wolf Haircut from Tik Tok.

(Don't you love TikTok research??)

I thought .....

welp' it can't get any worse.

My hair is already looking rough because half of it has gone to COVID and whatever else being a woman over 40 takes.   

I had a ton of split ends! 

I colored...

(sorry hair, I'm not ready to be white headed)

I dried....

and I sectioned off my hair in pony tails according to Tik Tok.

I really will try anything once.

I even used my hair level.  

Yes, I have a hair 'level' as seen on Shark Tank (quit judging me).

I thought the skin could use a little refresher too.

(Santa buy me some botox for CHRISTMAS!!)

I wasn't brave enough to cut as short as my Tik Tok tutorial wanted me to go.

These are the end results after styling.

It held up pretty good by the end of the day!! 

. 

Eat your heart out Charlize Theron!! 

Award winning teacher with Award Winning Tik Tok hair!!! 

(Just don't look too close at my award or my hair please and thank you.)

September/ October Reads

Taylor Jenkins Reid Signing and Much More….

I'm not going to lie, nothing kills my desire to read like a full time job. Why can't I just get paid to read and eat snacks?!   I'm so dead tired at the end of the day that I literally fall asleep by 9pm, and that doesn't leave a ton of time for reading.  I did try!!

Can we first talk about my book meet/ greet in September with the one... the only... TAYLOR JENKINS REID (aka. Malibu Rising, Daisy Jones, Evelyn Hugo)?!?!?!  

She is the hottest author around right now and most of her novels are currently being turned into series on Hulu and Netflix.   

I can't wait.

Reid was awesome!!  My friend Julie from my high school let me know about this opportunity, and we decided we had to meet up (both of us are fans).  My only regret is we didn't get more time to socialize (because it was a school night, and we have kids, and a long drive, and we are old folks now...).   We had a great time!!  Julie has been keeping it real since 1997 and I LoVe IT! 

We both got autographed copies of Carrie Soto is Back.  With tennis being all the rage in my house, I really can't wait to read this one over holiday break.

 

NightWork by Nora Roberts

I just keep trying to regain my original love affair with Nora Roberts but it isn't working out.    Fall is in the air, Halloween is approaching, and I could NOT resist the story about a jewel thief with morals.

The first half of the book tells the story of Harry Booth from boy to adult.  I loved the story of how Harry came to be a jewel thief.  Every time he planned a heist I thought,  'is he gonna get caught here or what!?!'  I loved his mom, his aunt, and most of all the amazing people he met in his travels (including Chapel Hill, North Carolina).

Then about 60% into the book, I was forcing myself to finish.  I love a slow build but this one draggggedddd.

The love interest between Harry and 'the one that got away' was sweet.

You have to love a bad criminal turned good. 

3/5 Stars

After five hours of IEP paperwork,  I was in the market for a cheap, paperback romance and this one provided cheap.

It reminded me slightly of a modern version of....

my allllll time favorite romance novel:  Paradise. 

Paradise will never be beat. EVER.

Ruthless Rival tells the story of Ayra and Christian-  your typical poor boy meets rich girl story line goes bad. 

Things get really exciting when Christian grows up to be a rich, charming, and ruthless lawyer and guess what?  Yes. I know you guessed it.  He meets up with Ayra.  

She doesn't even know who he is but that doesn't stop the flames from a firin' baby!!

This one -🌶🌶🌶🌶

 

4/5 Stars

I picked this one because you know, Halloween.

I wanted a quick but fun read that was seasonal.  This one did NOT disappoint.   Reggie is pretty much a hot mess with a hot mess family.  She takes a position with what she assumes is her favorite card game company, but turns out she becomes an assistant to a REAL LIFE WITCH.

Things heat up when she keeps running into the grumpy and handsome Warlock Ben Magnus.  This was so cute because Reggie wasn't really buying into the magic stuff until the middle of the book. 

She and Ben's banner was the best!  I laughed at lot reading this book

Don't be fooled by the cover because I was thinking Hallmark channel but it was surprisingly:  🌶🌶🌶.

4/5 Stars

Now for my middle school read. 

 I'm so fortunate to work with ELA teachers who are up to date on the current reads.   Can you believe I've never read Alan Gratz!?  We started this one at the start of the year and I immediately downloaded it on my kindle.  WOW.   Wow.  WOW.

This book shares the story of Brandon when he was age 9.  The entire book is about his experience being trapped in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.  Between the folds of Brandon's story is Reshmina's story that is set in current day Afghanistan.  

Brandon and Reshmina's stories take place 15-20 years apart and yet their experiences intertwine so beautifully.   I learned so much about Afghanistan through this book alone. 

I wanted to climb in the book and rescue Reshmina and Brandon, even though they were so resourceful, kind, and SMART!!   I want to protect ALL children from the horrors of terrorism.

To say this hit an emotional nerve for me is a total understatement! 

To remember the events before, during, and after on September 11, 2001 through the eyes of my 7th graders was a poignant experience that I can't put into words.  

Always Remember

5/5 Stars (I would give it 10 if I could)

Happy Reading My LOVES!

Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice

 

Welcome Fall!!

You can already see touches outside (and inside). 

You better believe I've put the Pumpkin Soufflé candle waxes in the warmer.  The weather is beautiful, and it smells even better!! 

We took our long weekend to enjoy the fall weather and the......

I was so sad Con Con had to work and many other plans, 

so it was just me and sweetie pie.

We met up with our good friends and had a great day.

These boys are so precious.  

It brought me back to when Connor was this age 

(minus Connor's BIG energy).

I am so thankful for my friend Joan who has made a lifelong investment in our friendship.  

She is always a joy and it's impossible not to smile when she is around

(love tha' hat).  

We each picked out a pumpkin but we could not leave without cutting a few stalks too! 

Aren't these sunflowers beautiful!?!

Carlee and her dad planted them when we got back in.

I'm off to trade out our shorts and t.shirts for leggings and sweaters! 

Enjoy this cool fall while you can. 

"I'm so glad that I live in a world where there are Octobers..."  

-Anne of Green Gables 

August Reads

I finally got to Daisy Jones and the Six this month!!  I love Taylor Jenkins Reid but all of her books need another chapter.  

I don't want to give too much away about why I dropped a star but like I said before

.... I NEED ANOTHER CHAPTER PRONTO.  

To REALLY put you in the mood, here are a few documentaries you must watch before reading:

Fleedwood MAC

The Rise of Blondie

AND  (I know the time period is off but the drama of the band remains)-

The Mamas and the Papas.

Daisy Jones & The Six is all about the rise of a 1970s band.  It's really cool the way this book is written in documentary style.    

Honestly, (unpopular opinion) I didn't like Daisy.  She didn't have that many redeeming qualities (a little bit of a poor rich girl), but I did love The Six!!  I enjoyed the side stories of each of them.  I loved the ups and downs of the band as they rose to fame, and the passion for music really jumped off of each page.  Happy Reading (and don't forget to play Dreams by Fleetwood Mac while you read). 

4/5 stars. 

I had to jump right into another Taylor Jenkins Reid book.  I know this one got terrible reviews but I think I enjoyed it more than Daisy Jones and the Six!   But you know what!?! 

I dropped a star because I NEED ANOTHER CHAPTER.  

The story started out great!  "Malibu: August, 1983. It’s the day of Nina Riva’s annual end-of-summer party, and anticipation is at a fever pitch. Everyone wants to be around the famous Rivas..."

I adored the Riva clan, and Nina was my favorite.  Both model/ professional surfer, she is the oldest of the clan and fights for each one of her siblings to the death.  

Part I gives us all the rich history.  Part II we begin to be immersed in the WILD Riva party (and unfortunately introduced to every new character under the moon). 

Pet Peeve:  when a book has too many characters and is unable to develop them properly. 

My only regret, I wanted more of Nina's story.  Now I must take a field trip to Malibu!!

4/5 stars. 

Now for a little romance for the evening. 

Meet the Bellinger sisters- blonde, sassy, and spoiled!

The first book in the series, It Happened One Summer, is all about Piper Bellinger (think in your head Paris Hilton).  She is a total mindless debutante who got in trouble for the LAST time.  Her parents send her off to where her birth father lived and died as a fisherman.  Piper is tasked with renovating his bar and running it for 3 months!!   

This book was funny!!  I just loved when Piper finally realized her talents.  I adored the sisters and the way they worked together to set up the bar.  Of course the romance with grumpy fisherman Brendan was off tha' charts y'all!  They were steaming up all the pages.  🔥

5 Steamy Stars

Book II:

Hook Line and Sinker is book two in the series, and tells the story of the much more down to earth sister Hannah.

Eh.  

This is a friends to lovers format and they spent more time talking about why they shouldn't be together than just dating already!

I guess my true love is "Chick Lit" where the main character goes on more of a journey with herself than finding a boyfriend, and there was so little focus on Hannah's dreams.   Book one really explored Piper's changes as a person, and book two just had a couple talking about why they wouldn't work in between make-out sessions. 

3 Disappointing Stars

"Rosie and Dominic Vega are the perfect couple: high school sweethearts, best friends, madly in love. Well, they used to be, anyway"

I thought I would give Tessa Bailey one more chance.  This book sounded so good, and I really had hopes for it when I checked it out on Libby.  Unfortunately, it was my least favorite read for the month.  During the whole book Rosie and Dominic could not keep their hands off each other!  You could tell they were sooooo in love,  yet I was supposed to believe they were headed for divorce.  The only redeeming thing about this book for me was the quirky marriage therapist.    Dominic was absolutely destroyed when Rosie packed up and left, yet he would never be honest and talk.  He would rather her walk out than talk.  

'You know simple talk would help in these situations!?!' -me the therapist.

 2 Stars

 

This is certainly one of the most interesting reads of the summer.  After COVID, I had cleaning, laundry, and cooking to catch up on so I played this audio book.  

This story centers around fourth grader Patrick O'Brien.  He is shy, dyslexic, and small for his age.  His grandfather walks into Rosato and DiNunzio law firm to seek help because Patrick is being accused of assaulting a teacher's aide when Patrick claims the teacher's aide was assaulting him first!!   Lawyer Mary DiNunzio takes the case and this case takes her on all kinds of twists and turns- including murder!! 

The pros of this book:  it really advocated for the child.  I related to Mary DiNunzio because she put herself last and Patrick first (even missing her wedding fitting).  I totally understood because Patrick needed someone.  I love the advocacy for Patrick, and the realties that many public school in America ignore EC law due to funding.   I was also interested in the semi mystery- who was the guilty party?? Patrick? Grandpa? Teacher's Aide?  was there a killer lurking?

The downside- the book went on and on focusing on detailed law.  It became a bit dull.  The quick wrap up wasn't that shocking. 

I ended up buying the book used on Amazon because I was fascinated with an author who knew so much about Exceptional Children's law (the author was a lawyer prior to writing).    Being an EC teacher, I have never read such an accurate fiction book for dyslexic children in my life.  I shared just a few highlights that hit the nail on the head, and I hope it teaches any teachers and parents to advocate for their child.  Simple inclusion is not enough, having an EC teacher help with home/classwork is NOT ENOUGH!   

Children who are behind MUST have a researched based  intervention(s)!! 

3 stars

Yes- Mary WINS compensatory services! You go Mary!!!

Naked Love by Jewel E. Ann

I enjoyed this one.  

This was a light read that I treated myself to after the first week of school.  It was just what I needed.  At first I thought this was just going to be a little too vulgar but it evened out until I fell in love with the coupling of Avery and Jake.

Avery is a pampered princess who normally dates old, rich men (ugh, the vulgar part).

Jake is a former fighter turned vegan chef!

Jake + Avery + a ride to LA with the cutest dog= Craziness.

Adventures begin and anything that could happen to poor Avery did, and I was there for it. 

This one promises a HEA.

4 Stars