Spring Book Reviews 2020

1.) The Lost Queen by Signe Pike

I follow Kim @Talkwordytome. She loved this book and said that it was a great pick for her book club. She also loves Outlander and all things Scotland and said that this was a great read for fans of books like that. So I was super excited to read it.

From Goodreads:

In a land of mountains and mist, tradition and superstition, Languoreth and her brother Lailoken are raised in the Old Way of their ancestors. But in Scotland, a new religion is rising, one that brings disruption, bloodshed, and riot. And even as her family faces the burgeoning forces of Christianity, the Anglo-Saxons, bent on colonization, are encroaching from the east. When conflict brings the hero Emrys Pendragon to her father’s door, Languoreth finds love with one of his warriors. Her deep connection to Maelgwn is forged by enchantment, but she is promised in marriage to Rhydderch, son of a Christian king. As Languoreth is catapulted into a world of violence and political intrigue, she must learn to adapt. Together with her brother—a warrior and druid known to history as Myrddin—Languoreth must assume her duty to fight for the preservation of the Old Way and the survival of her kingdom, or risk the loss of them both forever.

The publisher says that this book is "Outlander meets Mists of Avalon". No, it isn't. It is very different but it was still a good book and I enjoyed it. It takes place in 6th century Scotland. Christianity is on the rise and the old Gods are being forgotten. The story focuses on twins Languoreth and her brother Lailoken (who will later become known as Merlin.)

I enjoy books based on Arthurian lore, set in Scotland, sweeping epic sagas, and interesting characters. The Lost Queen had all of this. It was a page turner for me. I loved the family dynamic of Languoreth, Lailoken, their father, brothers, and cousins. The characters were interesting and vivid. I cared about this family and was invested in their survival.

The writing is beautiful, evocative, and atmospheric. The author did a great job of creating a vivid and rich early medieval world. The pacing at times was awkward. There were large time jumps and a rushed ending... that really wasn't an ending...due to this being the first book in a trilogy.

I also felt that much of the action took place off the page which was unfortunate. I wanted to be where the action was. I wanted to be in the thick of battle with the Dragon Warriors, in the war council with Rhys and Rhydderch, and fighting to save the granaries with Morken and Brandt. Instead we follow along with Languoreth who isn't present for any of those things. It was hard to miss out on all of the interesting things that are happening *elsewhere*. I hope that we will get more in the future books and follow some beloved characters who just kind of disappear without us ever knowing more about them. Hello Ariane. Even though I was frustrated at times, I have hope that all will be resolved in the future books. I enjoyed The Lost Queen and look forward to the continuation of the series.

My Rating: Good. An entertaining read.


2.) One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus

This book is described as The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars. Well, you had me at The Breakfast Club. (My favorite movie.) I will even read a YA mystery.

From Goodreads:

On Monday afternoon, five students at Bayview High walk into detention.
Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule.
Addy, the beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess.
Nate, the criminal, is already on probation for dealing.
Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher.
And Simon, the outcast, is the creator of Bayview High's notorious gossip app.

Only, Simon never makes it out of that classroom. Before the end of detention, Simon's dead. And according to investigators, his death wasn't an accident. On Monday, he died. But on Tuesday, he'd planned to post juicy reveals about all four of his high-profile classmates, which makes all four of them suspects in his murder. Or are they the perfect patsies for a killer who's still on the loose?
Everyone has secrets, right? What really matters is how far you would go to protect them

I liked it! It was a lot of fun. It's a super quick read. I read it in one day. It definitely had a Breakfast Club vibe with a side of murder! I think the author did a good job with the teenage stereotypes. While each character fit into a particular category; they were each fully developed and shared their own POV as the story unfolded. They all had more depth than I imagined they would. I liked and rooted for all of them. Nate and Bronwyn were my two favorites. No surprise there. This book was definitely addictive and fun. I stayed up way too late finishing it.

My Rating: Fast-paced and enjoyable!

3.) The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Luiz

I heard about this book on The Alison Show podcast. She talks about it a lot and is doing a read-along and discussion on her podcast. I was interested in reading in participating. When I clicked on Goodreads; I saw that my mom had read it and liked it. Who knew that this would be such a tender and cherished part of Goodreads? That after my mom's passing I can click on a book and it pops up telling me if she has read it and what she thought about it. It is a gift and it made me feel connected to her. I miss talking about books with her.

From Goodreads:

In The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, the Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love.

This book is a philosophical, spiritual, self-help book based on the ancient teachings of the Toltecs who were an indigenous people who flourished in Mexico before the Aztecs. This kind of book is not my usual cup of tea but I was curious and I enjoy learning about different philosophies.

The good news is that it is a short and simple book. The bad news is that I absolutely hated the writing. Despite the terrible writing I liked the four main principles known as the Four Agreements. The universal message of the book is that happiness is a choice and so is suffering. The author talks about the unconscious beliefs that we pick up as children from our parents, religion, and culture. We view our world through these beliefs and we are unaware of how they affect our lives and our choices. Due to these unconscious beliefs we don't live our lives authentically and that is the cause of our unhappiness. By becoming awake or aware of these beliefs that we have unconsciously agreed to...we can then choose our own beliefs...and by making authentic choices and our own agreements with the world...we are able to be positive, live in the present, and find joy.

The Four Agreements are:

1.) Be Impeccable with Your Word. 

Always be honest and truthful. Have integrity. How do you talk to your self? How do you talk to others? Words are powerful.

2.) Don't Take Things Personally.

"Nothing other people do is because of you. It is because of themselves."

"Taking things personally is the maximum expression of selfishness because we make the assumption that everything is about 'me.'"

3.) Don't Make Assumptions.

Communicate with people. Ask questions. Ask for clarification.

4.) Always Do Your Best.

When we do our best we take action. We can't control the uncontrollable. We just try to do our best in all that we do. Our best may vary due to our circumstances and situations but if we try to always do our best we will be better able to live without frustration, self-judgement, guilt, and regrets.

My Rating: Terrible writing but interesting common sense principles.

My Mom's Rating: Four Stars

4.) The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Ailey had to read this book for school. She didn't like it and was actually pretty horrified. I decided to read it myself and I felt pretty uncomfortable reading it too. There was A LOT going on. This is one of the more controversial YA novels and a cult classic.

From Goodreads:

This is the story of what it's like to grow up in high school. More intimate than a diary, Charlie's letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating. We may not know where he lives. We may not know to whom he is writing. All we know is the world he shares. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it puts him on a strange course through uncharted territory. The world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends. The world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that the perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite.

I didn't like it. I felt like the author was trying too hard. He tried to cram as many issues into the book as possible. There was so much going on... drugs, alcohol, sexuality, rape, death, sexual abuse, suicide, mental illness, sexual orientation, domestic abuse, and abortion. How many traumatizing teen issues can the author put into one small 200 page novel? It just wasn't believable. It felt exploitative and manipulative which was disheartening.

The book is written in epistolary form. That's fine. I like that format most of the time. The way the story slowly unfolds through Charlie's letters was interesting but the rest...not so much.

The one take away from this book is this quote: ‘‘We accept the love we think we deserve.’’ 

My Rating: Very disappointing.

5.) Signs: The Secret Language of the Universe 
by Laura Lynne Jackson

This book is definitely geared toward someone who has experienced loss. But for me it was too much! There were way too many stories of people who have suffered tragic loss and are looking for signs to know that their loved one's spirit lives on. Psychic mediums aren't my jam but I do believe in an afterlife.

From Goodreads:

Laura Lynne Jackson is a psychic medium and the author of the New York Times bestseller The Light Between Us. She possesses an incredible gift: the ability to communicate with loved ones who have passed, convey messages of love and healing, and impart a greater understanding of our interconnectedness. Though her abilities are exceptional, they are not unique, and that is the message at the core of this book. Understanding "the secret language of the universe" is a gift available to all. As we learn to ask for and recognize signs from the other side, we will start to find meaning where before there was only confusion, and see light in the darkness. We may decide to change paths, push toward love, pursue joy, and engage with life in a whole new way.

Most of this book is just a collection of stories of loss. The author tells those who have lost loved ones to ask for random signs from them. Like an orange or a purple elephant. The more random the better. I don't buy into this idea. But I do believe in beautiful coincidences that aren't really coincidences and that come about organically. I also believe that God shows us in many different ways that love never ends and that there is life after death. I don't need to ask for random signs.  I believe they come when needed.

I really liked the section that talked about energy, connection, gratitude, and mindfulness. I wish there was more of that. There are also some lovely quotes and beautiful poetry.

My Rating: Okay

6.) A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

This was a reread for me. I decided to reread this with Ailey. She was reading it for her Honors English class when the Coronavirus hit. I read it again so that we could discuss it together.

From Goodreads:

After eighteen years as a political prisoner in the Bastille, the ageing Doctor Manette is finally released and reunited with his daughter in England. There the lives of two very different men, Charles Darnay, an exiled French aristocrat, and Sydney Carton, a disreputable but brilliant English lawyer, become enmeshed through their love for Lucie Manette. From the tranquil roads of London, they are drawn against their will to the vengeful, bloodstained streets of Paris at the height of the Reign of Terror, and they soon fall under the lethal shadow of La Guillotine.

Did this book stand up to a reread? Yes and no. I found it slightly disappointing this time around. Is it because of what I now know about the life of Charles Dickens? Maybe. Reading his words about love and marriage rankled me.

A Tale of Two Cities is an extremely memorable book with arguably some of the most famous opening and closing lines. The story is intriguing and dark. I loved the juxtaposition of the two countries and the two revolutions. Dickens does a fantastic job with the theme of contrast throughout the book. I especially loved his use of nuance. Dickens writing is complex but not difficult. I wish that I could say that I loved this book as much I remember loving it in high school. Not quite. As an adult the first two thirds of the book dragged for me but the last third made all the difference.

My main issue is that the characters are so flat and lifeless. Even Charles Darnay!! I didn't remember that! Where is the character development? We are told about each of the characters passively. Sydney Carton is the only character who had slightly more depth and interest. I thought he was the most interesting of the bunch and, of course, I loved the showdown between Miss Pross and Madame Defarge.

All in all, I enjoyed rereading this book as a buddy read with Ailey and I enjoyed talking about it with her during this crazy quarantine. She gave this book four stars and I have to agree with her.

My Rating: Good. A classic.

7.) The Good Neighbor: 
The Life and Work of Fred Rogers by Maxwell King

I think that you are either a Sesame Street person or a Mister Rogers person. I am wholeheartedly a Mr. Rogers person. I liked Sesame Street as a kid but I LOVED Mister Rogers. There was just something special about him. I liked his calm and gentle way of speaking. I liked the order of his television house. I loved learning how things were made via Picture Picture. I just loved him. This was my book club's pick for April 2020.

From Goodreads:

Fred Rogers (1928–2003) was an enormously influential figure in the history of television and in the lives of tens of millions of children. As the creator and star of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, he was a champion of compassion, equality, and kindness. Rogers was fiercely devoted to children and to taking their fears, concerns, and questions about the world seriously. The Good Neighbor, the first full-length biography of Fred Rogers, tells the story of this utterly unique and enduring American icon.

To be honest I tried reading this book around the time that my mom died and it just didn't hold my attention. I ended up abandoning it even though I really wanted to read it. The timing just wasn't right I guess. I was thrilled when I remembered that it was also a 2020 pick for my book club.

I really enjoyed reading about the life of Fred Rogers. There was so much more depth to the kind and gentle man on the TV. He is fantastic...the writing on the other hand...was not. It read much like a college research paper. There were so many unnecessary facts and tangents and just so much repetition. This book could have used some tight editing. When this became too irritating I switched over to the audiobook that is narrated by LeVar Burton of Reading Rainbow fame and then the book worked for me. Mister Rogers and LeVar Burton are a magic combination.

I definitely thought that this was a worthwhile read. Fred Rogers is not only a quiet genius but he is also an American treasure. Not only did he exemplify human kindness but he was an innovative and creative educator and a staunch child advocate. We need more people like Fred Rogers in the world. People with his compassion and humanity. His unconditional love, empathy, and acceptance of others is inspiring.

Our book club enjoyed the book. Fred Rogers did ground breaking work in children's television. He wasn't afraid to tackle controversial topics like race, death, divorce, or disabilities head on. I especially liked the fact that Fred Rogers was the man that you saw on TV. I would have liked to know more about him as a husband and a father. I would have liked more insight from his wife and children but I respect their privacy and their decision to keep much of their family life private.

As an aside...I also like the movie A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood with Tom Hanks. Seeing the movie before reading this book enhanced my reading experience. It also helped me to visualize the way Fred Rogers interacted with other people...particularly children...and the way that he would slow down and stop whatever he was doing to focus on the person and truly engage with whomever he was talking to. He leaves behind an enduring legacy and ministry.

My Rating: Good. A warm nostalgic read.

8.) Ladies Who Punch: The Explosive Inside Story of The View by Ramin Setoodeh

Quarantine reading for me has been mostly nonfiction. I don't know why that is but it is. This book was recommended on the book podcast Currently Reading as a dishy yet well-written celebrity tell-all. I am NOT a fan of the TV show The View. I actually really hate it. But I do enjoy a gossipy behind the scenes book. I knew that if Meredith from Currently Reading recommended it; it would be an interesting read. It was.

From Goodreads:

When Barbara Walters launched The View, network executives told her that hosting it would tarnish her reputation. Instead, within ten years, she’d revolutionized morning TV and made household names of her co-hosts: Joy Behar, Star Jones, Meredith Vieira and Elisabeth Hasselbeck. But the daily chatfest didn’t just comment on the news. It became the news. And the headlines barely scratched the surface. Based on stunning interviews with nearly every host and unprecedented access, award-winning journalist Ramin Setoodeh takes you backstage where the stars really spoke their minds. Here's the full story of how Star, then Rosie, then Whoopi tried to take over the show, while Barbara struggled to maintain control of it all, a modern-day Lear with her media-savvy daughters. You'll read about how so many co-hosts had a tough time fitting in, suffered humiliations at the table, then pushed themselves away, feeling betrayed—one nearly quitting during a commercial. Meanwhile, the director was being driven insane, especially by Rosie. Ladies Who Punch shows why The View can be mimicked and mocked, but it can never be matched.

I was pleasantly surprised at how well researched and well sourced the book was. The author interviews most of the major players and everyone is on the record! That was great! The book is a detailed account of the history of The View. It definitely was interesting reading about the co-hosts and all of the backstage drama. I ended up disliking all of them (even more than before) with the exception of Candice Cameron Bure and Meredith Viera. I also liked Joy Behar more than I previously did after reading the book. That was shocking! This is a fast and entertaining read. It would be a great beach or poolside book.

My Rating: A guilty pleasure.

9.) Open Book by Jessica Simpson

Yes, I got sucked into another celebrity tell-all. How could I not with all of the crazy publicity this book has gotten?

From Goodreads:

Jessica tells of growing up in 1980s Texas where she was sexually abused by the daughter of a family friend, and of unsuccessfully auditioning for the Mickey Mouse Club at age 13 with Justin Timberlake and Ryan Gosling before going on to sign a record deal with Columbia and marrying 98 Degrees member Nick Lachey. Along the way, she details the struggles in her life, such as the pressure to support her family as a teenager, divorcing Lachey, enduring what she describes as an emotionally abusive relationship with musician John Mayer, being body-shamed in an overly appearance-centered industry, and going through bouts of heavy drinking. But Simpson ends on a positive note, discussing her billion-dollar apparel line and marriage with professional football star Eric Johnson, with whom she has three children.

Surprisingly this is one of the best celebrity memoirs that I have read in a long time. Not surprisingly Jessica Simpson had a great ghostwriter. Thank goodness. Open Book is a great escape read. There were so many things to look up on the internet... Instagram accounts, interviews, articles, songs, music videos...there were so many rabbit holes to go down. It was a fun quick trip in time back to the 90s and early 2000s. Jessica truly is an open book (maybe too much so) as she talks about her relationships, struggles, addiction, and her past. I was surprised to find her story genuine and compelling. There is more substance to her than I previously thought... business acumen to say the least. She has built a billion dollar fashion empire. That's nothing to sneer at. I am shocked to say that this is one of the better celebrity memoirs that I have have read and definitely the one with the most heart.

My Rating: An entertaining celebrity memoir AND you will loathe John Mayer if you don't already.

10.) Saints Volume 2: No Unhallowed Hand

This is the second book in The Saints series. This covers LDS church history during the years 1846 through 1893. It starts with the Saints expulsion from Nauvoo, settling in Utah, and concludes with the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple.

From Goodreads:

Saints Volume 2: No Unhallowed Hand, 1846-1893, begins with thousands of Latter-day Saints fleeing mobs in Nauvoo, their gathering place for the previous seven years. Readers follow Brigham Young and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles west across prairie and plain, witnessing their trust that God has prepared a home for them beyond the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains.

This was a period of time in the history of the church that I didn't know much about besides having read some of the histories of my own ancestors. To say that I learned a lot would be an understatement. I had no idea about so much of this history... polygamy yes...but there was so much more that was going on too. I did not realize that after reaching the Salt Lake Valley that the Saints trials were far from over. A lot happens after the martyrdom of Joseph Smith and the saints trek west. The faith and sacrifice of these early saints is staggering.

The book is easy to read, well-documented, and informative. I appreciated a deeper context to the attitudes, actions, and events that took place during this time period. The narrative unfolds and is told through many different points of view. I was delighted that many of the POVs were from women! I loved hearing their voices and reading their experiences...whether it was about converting to the gospel, crossing the plains, settling a territory, church service, raising a family, polygamy, or their role in the Women's Suffrage Movement. It was fascinating. I particularly enjoyed following the life of Susa Young Gates. She was great!

There were many parts of our church history that aren't often talked about in depth such as the growth and importance of the church in the Pacific Islands, the continual harassment of the Saints and their legal struggles with the US government, and polygamy with all of its complications both before and after the Manifesto. Volume 2 much like Volume 1 in the series doesn't sugar coat the difficult and controversial parts of our complicated church history. I appreciated the forthright manner in which things like the Mountain Meadows Massacre, blacks and the priesthood, and fallibility of early church leaders were presented.

I think this book is a must read for members of the church or for anyone else interested in the history of the LDS church. My only complaint is that I would have liked an update on Emma Smith. I finished the book with an even greater appreciation for theses early saints, church leaders, and my own ancestors who lived in Utah during this time period. It was wonderful to see how the Lord's work moved forward and continues to this day.

My Rating: Good

COVID-19 Quarantine: Days 91-95

Day 91: 6-12-20 (Friday)

A few things: Beverly's life jacket arrived and it is adorable. Polka dots! The church announced that missionaries can now wear BLUE shirts and can wear shirts and tags without ties. Kam was pretty excited about this!

Today we had an appraisal done on the lake house. We also had our realtor do a walk through. We are doing all of these to ascertain the value of the property. It is a rather unique place. Today was not great for interactions with my siblings. This whole situation is hard enough without all of their extra garbage and grievances. It is beyond frustrating. I was super grateful for some good advice from my cousin Wendy who is a realtor in Oregon. She was so helpful and provided some great insight into dealing with our realtor and navigating the realty world.

Kam and Abbey took Beverly to her vet check-up. She did great and is a "perfect" pug. I'm not sure about that! She can be a little stinker sometimes but we sure love her! They texted us this picture of Beverly driving home. Ha ha!

Tyler and I had a fun date night! We explored two lakes in our area. The first was Bead Lake. Our friends have a lake cabin on it that they are selling and we wanted to check out the area. We also went to Marshall Lake which is a great paddleboarding and kayaking spot. I can't wait to try it out! We stopped and got dinner at The Ram. Whenever we are up in that neck of the woods...Girls Camp and Scout camp are up this way... we have to stop at The Ram. They have giant huckleberry soft serve cones! Amazing!

Day 92: 6-13-20 (Saturday)

Today it is absolutely POURING rain! The weather has been crappy for weeks. One of my weeks at the lake is next week and it looks like it will be fairly cold and rainy. Swell. Kameron went up to Priest Lake to spend the weekend with Abbey and her family at their cabin. The days are going by so fast! His mission cell phone arrived. We can check another thing off of the list. COVID-19 has made mission preparations even more stressful. I am so glad that things are continuing to get done!

Since today was so rainy I tried to enjoy being cooped up inside. I snuggled up with a blanket and read my book. That was okay for awhile but then I got a little stir crazy. It's hard for me to be still. I got up and started organizing some things around the house.

When Tyler and I went up to the Sagle house a few weeks ago to clear out some more things from my mom's house; Jordin and I found a bin that had some of her quilting projects in it that weren't quite finished. I recognized two of them and brought them home. Today I got them ready to store until I find someone who can finish them for me. While doing so I found a *message* from my mom.

This is a wedding quilt that my mom started working on for me and never quite finished. She was famous for that! She loved starting creative projects but apparently didn't love the drudgery of finishing them. LOL. I remember picking out the fabric for this quilt with her back in the 90s! Ha ha! While inspecting the quilt closely I saw a message written in pencil inside the heart on the quilt that she was planning to embroider. Cue all the tears!

It says in her handwriting:

Peace Be to this Union
Kristin and Tyler
Established 1995

The other quilt is a baby blanket that she made for Kameron! LOL. She made him many other blankets so it wasn't like this was the only one. But once again I remembered picking out the vintage cowboy prints with her. I showed it to Kam and said that I would get it finished for him and he could give it to his future son one day and he got a little teary. I am so grateful that my kids appreciate the handmade gifts they have been given over the years from my mom. She made them all blankets, quilts, pillowcases, pillows, outfits, pajamas, robes, Halloween costumes, curtains, stuffed animals...and so much more!

My friend Arianne came over and brought me some gorgeous flowers from the Farmers Market! That totally made my day! I didn't feel like making dinner so we had Jimmy Johns deliver. The rain finally ended around 8:30 pm so we headed out for a much needed walk.

Day 93: 6-14-20 (Sunday)

Today I had Zoom Ward Council at 9 AM. We have been given some guidelines for going back to church. It looks like we may start going back to church in July. **fingers crossed** We can't have groups larger than 50 so we may have 4 sacrament meetings a month so that each family can attend church at least once a month. It all depends on when Spokane County moves to Phase 3.

We had home church and Bryn taught a great lesson. It was weird with Kameron still at Priest Lake and our family down to just the four of us. This will soon be our reality. So strange.

We had some communication from our realtor about the Sagle property and her thoughts about the value of the lake house. Some big decisions need to be made. Tyler and I ran out to the lake this evening to drop off the trailer with all of our bikes, paddleboards, and kayaks in it. We have to bring out so much crap to stay for a week! Kam was back from Priest Lake when we got home. He had a fun time with Abbey and her parents.

Day 94: 6-15-20 (Monday)

Today I did my first Costco run in 2 months. I haven't missed it at all!  I had a few more errands this morning to get things that we will need for our week at the lake. We didn't leave until the afternoon because Ailey had a scheduled time that she was supposed to be at the high school to turn in whatever still needed to be turned in and to pick up any of her locker belongings. We got to the lake at around 4 pm.

It was windy and rainy when we got there but the flowers are in full bloom. In between rain showers Tyler and I went for a walk up to the channel and beyond. I took some pictures of the flowers.

Our family's lake cabin is called Lilac Lodge due to the profusion of lilac bushes that grow all around it. The white lilacs are blooming. The purple ones bloomed earlier. I usually miss this because it isn't a time of year that I am usually out at the lake. The weather is fickle and the water is still pretty cold. We are usually so busy with end of the school year things too. I was glad that I didn't miss it this year.

The purple clover always remind me of the lake. My cousins and I would pick it and pluck out the little individual petal things and chew on the ends for the sweet sugary taste.

The wild roses all bloom in June too and they are so pretty and smell so good! I love to see them on the edge of the lake and hanging over the water.

My Grandma's pansies.

She loved pansies and would plant a whole pansy bed in an old decrepit rowboat in the yard. She hasn't planted pansies in over 10 years but they have reseeded themselves in all kinds of random places! I love to find them. I was mowing the lawn in April and found some growing in the middle of the lawn. I carefully extricated the little plant and brought it home in a paper cup to my house and planted them in my yard. They make me smile.

My Grandma's irises are blooming too. She was crazy about that iris bed. I remember weeding that darn iris bed in the sweltering sun as a kid when all I wanted to do was jump in the lake! Stacey, Kelley, our cousin Tania, and I used to stay at the lake for a month every summer and we always had chores to do. Weeding the iris bed was one of them. It is a special thing to see the flowers that were planted by those who aren't with us any longer. It feels like a special hello from them and a reminder that life goes on.

Tonight we just chilled out and listened to the rain. Tyler and the kids watched movies. I was a history detective. My aunt and uncles are coming to get all of the family history stuff in July that has been stored at the lake house. I enjoyed looking through pictures and reading documents. My grandma was super into genealogy. As I read her notes and papers it brought she and my grandpa back to vibrant life!

I miss them!

Day 95: 6-16-20 (Tuesday)

The weather was still pretty rainy today when we put the boat in for the first time this year. It's still weird to think that the boat is ours and that we aren't just helping my mom with it like we have done for years.

We headed to the dock and picked up the girls and Miss Beverly. We took our first boat ride and did our first lake tour. My mom always loved to do a lake tour at the first of the season to see what had changed over the winter. Anything new or different? Any new cabins? Any remodels?

Bev loves the boat and now that she has her life jacket she was ready to cruise!

The first stop on the cruise was to float some of those pretty white lilacs in my mom's cove. I think she would have really liked that. Lilac Lodge Lilacs.

The weather was a little iffy in the morning but by afternoon and evening it was pretty nice. We had a great time swimming (Yes, still cold!), kayaking, and paddleboarding. You can't keep us out of the water. We are pretty hardy!

We ordered Chinese takeout for dinner and played games until late. It was great!!

The favorite game of the night was one from my childhood. Twenty Questions. Still fun!

COVID-19 Quarantine: Days 86-90

Day 86: 6-7-20 (Sunday)

Today we celebrated my birthday with all of the kids. We had such a fun day! We decided to go on another family bike ride but this time with Reilly, Hunter, and Kameron too. It was still cold and gray but the forecast was showing that if we went early enough we could beat the rain that was coming later in the day.

We decided to do the Coeur d' Alene section of the Centennial Trail again. This is the same ride that we did on Mother's Day but we wanted to go even farther today if the weather held out. We did! It was a great ride!

On our way back we cycled past Le Peep and got some crepes for brunch! So good!

Several hours later we all headed home and then reconvened at the house for my birthday dinner. The weather was terrible. It was so rainy and windy. No eating on the deck for us. The kids had the house decorated so pretty. Abbey came over for dinner too.

Pretty birthday flowers from Abbey!!

Tyler and the kids made my traditional birthday dinner. When we were watching old family videos at the lake over Memorial Day several of them were of our birthdays and we were laughing about our birthday meals. Kirk said, "Let me guess what we are eating... finger steaks, ranch dressing, and mashed potatoes!" I said, "Correct, and I will be eating it again on my birthday in a week!" And ... I did! I eat this meal once a year and it is so worth it!!

Menu:

Finger Steaks (My Grandma's Recipe)
Mashed Potatoes (Kam made the best garlic mashed potatoes this year!!)
Ranch Dressing to dip the steak in.
Onion Dip and Chips

My birthday cake was my favorite Swedish Princess Cake that Tyler ordered from Fery's. It is so good! Vanilla sponge cake with layers of cream and raspberry filling and covered in marzipan. It is AMAZING!

It was so fun to FINALLY have everyone gathered around the table again. It was an awesome family dinner. I forced everyone to do "Table Topics" which I love and they do not. LOL. I love that when it is your birthday you get to make everyone do the things that you want to do without complaint! It's great!

After dinner we had a family game night and the same rules applied. I picked all the games that I love and that my family hates. Charades? Yes, please! Games about celebrities that include funny humiliating antics. Yep! They were very good sports and played several hours of The Name Game and Celebrity Game Night! It was perfection. After that it was cake and presents. The best gift of all was being able to be around these crazy people again!

48 is pretty great!

Day 87: 6-8-20 (Monday)

Birthday festivities are over and it was time to get back at it. I worked on Sisters Creed inventory all day. Tyler and I did a double walk...morning and night. The boat shop called. Our boat is already for summer. It is in great shape...no major repairs! Yay! We can pick it up tomorrow!

We also worked on mission prep things like ordering Kam's bike, his mission phone (He has to have an old Samsung...ha ha!), and filled out more paperwork. Kam got an email tonight saying that his MTC training will be online. Bummer. He also had to call Salt Lake to find out what he is supposed to do if no temples are open to take out his endowments before his mission. They told him that if none are open for living endowments then he will have to do it on his mission when temples open up for that again. HOW BIZARRE IS THAT? Missionaries leaving for missions without going through the temple? He also got his hair cut! Praise the Lord!


Day 88: 6-9-20 (Tuesday)

Today Spokane County reopened playgrounds. Kam got a summons for jury duty...although it will be after he is already serving his mission so he was able to get out of it. Lucky. Although he would have probably really enjoyed it. He's into stuff like that.

Last night my cousin, Marie (center) participated in a peaceful protest in Jackson,Wyoming and literally had people screaming at her, threatening her, and calling her the N-word. At a peaceful protest! She wasn't doing anything and from the sounds of it she was the only person of color there. Disgusting. I am grateful for those who stood by her and supported her!

Day 89: 6-10-20 (Wednesday)

Today we had Lowe's come and give us a bid on replacing all of the flooring on the main level of our home. I cannot wait to get this project done. The girls and I left and ran some errands while Tyler dealt with the guy from Lowe's. I got them Cinnabon and chocolate milk for breakfast. Ailey also had to go to the high school and pick up her yearbook. She was very excited to see it. Kameron looked through Abbey's the night before and told Ailey that she was "all over the place in it" so she was very eager to see it. She is such a great little joiner and loves to be part of all the high school activities. Can't relate. :)

Reilly took a day off of work today so that she and Kameron could have a "bro/sis" day. They went to Coeur d' Alene to hike Tubbs Hill. On their way back Reilly's car blew a tire on the freeway so it ended up being quite the bro/sis adventure. Glad they were okay!

Day 90: 6-11-20 (Thursday)

Today a beloved family member tested positive for COVID-19. So scary. Now several other family members are being tested. This is the first person that I know personally that has gotten the Coronavirus.  In Spokane cases are spiking. It's higher than even in March and April. Tyler's boss is still saying they most likely won't go back to the office until September. Utah is getting really bad too with an 80% increase. Scary.

Seattle is chaos with protesters taking over several city blocks, running out the police, and setting up an "autonomous zone" in the Capital Hill area.

I headed back to the nursery today to buy more flowers to plant. My flowers are making me feel Zen-like (kind of) in crazy and stressful times. We also got the boat all fixed up to take out to the lake next week. I can't wait! Kirk, Tyler, and I all watched a movie "together" via the miracle of technology. Kirk and I revisited our youth and our love of the movie American Flyers! LOL.

COVID-19 Quarantine: Days 81-85

Day 81: 6-2-20 (Tuesday)

Today is Black Out Tuesday on social media. Each day brings new heartbreak, anger, and sadness. Racism is real and change needs to be made in the hearts and minds of people and in the implicit bias, systemic racism, and corruption that exist. This is not a new topic of discussion in our family. How could it be? We have a diverse family. My brother-in-law has educated us on so many things over the years. (As have my cousins.) Ramon has personally lost loved ones to police violence. He personally experiences racism regularly. He personally raises his children in such a way as to protect them from police violence. Racism and protecting his family is something that he thinks about every single day. He has taught us so much over the years and has brought so many things to the forefront of our minds that would have never occurred to us. We have listened and we have learned. We are still listening and learning. We will continue to listen, learn, grow, improve, ACT, and SPEAK. Change MUST happen. I am grateful for the diversity that exists in our family's lives...brother, nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. I am grateful for the really hard and uncomfortable conversations that I have had over the years, that are still happening, and will continue to happen. I pray for equality and peace. I pray for love and acceptance. I pray for a better world and better people (myself included) with hearts broken wide open in love for all.

Day 82: 6-3-20 (Wednesday)

Today was a busy day. I had multiple errands to run. It felt good to be able to run errands...even masked and social distancing. I rearranged my deck with the two new benches and potted a few more plants. Now I need two more pillows but it is coming together nicely!

I also helped a family in our ward plan their son's baptism. Baptisms are still a bit challenging in the time of COVID-19. This cute kid has been waiting to be baptized since March. I also got to do a sweet porch visit with him. It was fun to see him and bring him a little gift and treat. Our stake is only allowing immediate family and the bishop to attend baptisms. I am so excited for this little guy! Also today Bryn's piano teacher dropped off a treat for her...AND...great news...our library is now offering curbside pick up for holds!! Yay!!

Earlier this week the realtor did another walk through of my mom's Sandpoint house and had a photographer there taking pictures. She sent the pictures and link today and they look great! The listing goes live tomorrow. I hope it sells quickly. The sooner we wrap up my mom's estate the better.

Many of the things Kam needs for his mission and that we ordered online have started arriving... clothing, shoes, an extra suitcase. He is going to have to order his suits online and hope they arrive in time. Nothing is open here for him to buy suits! We have only received half of his temple clothes...some are still on back order. The distribution center here is closed. Our temple is closed as are all of the ones in the Pacific Northwest. We may have to drive to Utah for him to take out his endowments. If those ever open for personal endowments. We are down to 27 days and it is stressing me out! His good friend Nick leaves the same day and is going to Colorado. So at least they are in the same boat! I am so grateful for my  amazing friends who have sent sons out on missions and for Kam's friends who are serving/have served missions who have been super helpful in telling him/us exactly what he needs and where to buy things!

We had a scare tonight. I talked to my sister Jordin. There is craziness in Sandpoint with rumors of threats against people of color by white supremacy groups. Northern Idaho has been a hot bed of white supremacy for decades. It is disgusting. Needless to say we were worried and concerned about Jordin, Ramon, and their family. Thankfully they are safe. I pray they continue to be.

Day 83: 6-4-20 (Thursday)

Mission Prep continues. More clothing and supplies arrived today. Tyler and Kam went to the LDS bookstore here, which surprisingly was open, and they were able to buy Kam some new scriptures with his name embossed on the front and a new scripture case and a particular kind of belt that Kam wanted. We ordered his suits online yesterday and requested express shipping. We got a notice today saying that they are scheduled to arrive tomorrow! What?! Hallelujah! That is great news because we will also need to schedule alterations.

Graduation announcements have been rolling in from so many kids that we love! Our fridge is covered in their cute faces. My heart goes out to the class of 2020. I graduated in 1990 and I would NOT have been able to roll with the punches like they are doing! Today is officially the last day of school for the Seniors. Yay for Abbey! Her drive thru graduation is scheduled for Saturday. We can't attend because there can only be one car per student. Kam is riding with her family. I am glad that he can be there. We will be watching virtually and cheering her on!

The Sandpoint house listing is live. In 7 hours there have already been 154 views and 15 saves. I REALLY hope it sells quickly!!

I worked on Sisters Creed stuff all day. I am not into it. This weekend would have been Farm Chicks. I don't feel too bad that it has been postponed. I need to get back into enjoying this business or find something else to do. I seriously lack motivation; this is NOT a normal state for me.

Day 84: 6-5-20 (Friday)

Today is my BIRTHDAY! #48!!

I love my birthday and this year was no different despite quarantine and the weather being pretty crappy. My day started with breakfast in bed and gifts! When I got up the house had been decorated which I absolutely loved!!

I had the cutest little tuxedo cake, macarons, and marzipan fruits!!

Flowers from Tyler and the kids.

We decided to spend my birthday at the lake despite the cold and rainy weather. My birthday activity choices are rather limited thanks to COVID. Just before we left the house Kam's suits arrived!! Miracle!! They fit pretty well. He just needs the pants hemmed for both suits and his temple pants hemmed too.

He's starting to look official! In another miracle...Kam called the alteration place and they said that he could come in today and get fitted. Can you hear the angels singing?! He stayed home to get all of that done today. Time is of the essence!

It was overcast and windy at the lake but that didn't stop us! I had a great day of paddleboarding and I got an extra workout going against the wind. Bryn was my trusty sidekick in the kayak.

We had another dock picnic! Ailey and Bryn packed us a delicious lunch! Then while Bryn and I went kayaking and paddleboarding; Ailey and Tyler were inside the house making homemade ice cream as a special birthday treat for me! My grandma used to make homemade ice cream out at the lake all the time when I was a kid. It is such a special memory for me. I loved to see several ice cream makers going out on her porch in the summer. It has been many years since I've had homemade ice cream so to have my family make it for me today was extra special!

So good!

We actually had quite a fun day swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking. The boat is still in the shop getting prepped for summer and getting anything that needs to be fixed taken care of. We ordered a life jacket for Miss Beverly. She was having fun in the water today too.

Paddleboard thieves! They like mine more than theirs. LOL.

Bryn showing off! Push ups and planking!! Impressive.

Around 6pm it started to rain so we quickly packed everything up and headed to Coeur d' Alene for sushi. I was super excited to have my first sushi since March!! We got it to go and headed to a park that had a picnic pavilion near Lake Coeur d' Alene. It was pouring rain but we were under cover and even had a tablecloth for our picnic table and all of the supplies for a fancy little sushi picnic. Where we were we could look out on the lake and watch the storm. I absolutely loved it!

When we got home that night Reilly and Hunter had been there. They had set out all kinds of surprises for me! I walked in the door to giant balloons, flowers, card, gifts, and even a box of my favorite Mrs. Sees chocolates! They are the sweetest!!

Pretty flowers from Reilly and Hunter!

It was a great day of phone calls, texts, messages, gifts, and love from family and friends! I definitely felt loved, remembered, and celebrated!

Day 85: 6-6-20 (Saturday)

Today should have been the first day of the Farm Chicks Show. Instead I watched the live Farm Chicks Fair-a-thon. Serena hosted an online event where Farm Chicks curators could share videos of some of the things they are selling. I decided not to participate. It's hard to showcase my stuff. It's not like I have a particular product that I sell. I have furniture, small items, and just a weird variety of things. It is difficult to showcase all of that in a video but it was fun to watch and see some of my fellow vendors. It got me excited for the show in August.

Today was graduation day for Abbey!! She graduated Summa Cum Laude! She is cute and smart! She's not our kid but we are still super proud of her! She has a full ride scholarship to college next year at an exclusive university. She plans to study biology. She is awesome!! We are so happy for her! Kam spent the day with Abbey and her family. He got to cram in her parent's car along with her siblings. He sat on a stool. LOL. So fun to cheer this girl on!

We also celebrated another graduate... Emily. We were part of a drive-thru graduation party. It was a lot of fun! Ailey made her a cute poster that we hung out the window. We had balloons and a card for her too. It was fun to celebrate her and to participate in something with so many of our friends!!

After the graduation party two of my sweet friends, Steph and Shannon, stopped by for a nice long porch visit! They had all kinds of birthday things for me too. It was such a fun night!

And...miracle of miracles...all of Kam's mission clothes were altered in less than 24 hours. He picked them up today and they fit great! We are starting to cross things off of the mission prep list. Yay!

Tyler and I did a late night walk at the park. And...my roses are starting to bloom. The yellow roses are the first!

Today was a great day!