Months ago, in June, I hopped on a plane in Detroit, had a layover in LA, and ended up in Kona, HI. We went to celebrate the day of birth for this lady here who turned 70.
Rochelle aka Mama aka Grams aka Granny bka Linda(she never listens)
It was an amazing trip with great people. I was the unofficial travel agent. I went on Groupon (I totally forgot Groupon existed before this trip) and found some reasonable priced excursions. I scheduled flights to and from one of the other islands. I booked hotel rooms for our stay on the other island. I think I did a damn good job, but I don’t want to do it again 😂. I’ll leave it to the professionals. I realized I didn’t really share any pics. Here is a photo dump of Rochelle’s 70th Birthday trip.
I hope that one day I am rich enough to make sure this lady wants for nothing. Until that day, I will do all that I can to love and support her, even though she doesn’t listen. Y’all know it is hard parenting parents 😂. Stay sane and be well and whole. Much Love 🧡 💚
The Lover by Nia Forrester, what can I say? I hate this book! Yet, I have to give it all the props because it was so well written. This book is definitely in my top 10, but I could not include it in my list. This book required its on post. I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I started this book. Yes, I did read the blurb. However, it did not describe the book accurately. There should have been all types of trigger warnings. Now, I am going to be just as shady as the book description and not tell you either 🙂. I feel like if I give you a heads up, it will either give too much away or it will have you on pins and needles waiting on that part to come.
So, what is my issue with The Lover? I started my Friday morning very early getting ready to drive to Alabama for the B-Ham Mayhem slingshot competition. I was listening to The Lover as I got ready and it transitioned to the car as I got on the road. Somewhere in Ohio, at about 55% – 60% of the book, something happened. Totally unexpected and it punched me in the nose, and I started crying. I mean I couldn’t get it together. I wasn’t boo-hooing or anything. Just, you know, tears filling the eyes, running down the cheeks. And at that point, I just knew the book was ruined. I was done. I didn’t want to listen to it anymore. I was pissed at Nia because WTF!?!? I felt like she ruined a perfectly good book. I was in the car alternating between crying and cussing. Lol. My issue with this book is tears and emotions.
I don’t think I have read a book this captivating since When Forty Blooms by Jacinta Howard last year. The main female character, Ryann, was all messed up and I related to her a little too much. I feel like when my husband comes along I am probably going to act just like her goofy ass. All wishy washy and shit. Then of course, my husband is going to have to be like Spencer, the main male character, patient, persistent, and understanding. The way Nia Forrester portrayed the realness of their relationship it was like watching a movie. The part where Ryann started her cycle at the restaurant, every woman can relate to that (sorry guys). The familial relationships, the friendships. I mean, just a great fucking book. Except, I did not like the narrator’s voice for Ivy. Had her sounding like a ditz. Ivy is a great supporting character and calls Ryann out on her shit. The best type of friend to have.
I didn’t listening to the book anymore on my drive to Alabama. I wanted to have a great weekend and I wasn’t going to let The Lover ruin it. I did have a great weekend. I saw some tricked out slingshots and rode around Birmingham and enjoy the sights. Tried Jack in the Box for the first time, it was average. The chocolate chip cookie, above average. Used my ScootnGo Scooter and didn’t run over anyone’s toes. Just lived. I did pick the book back up on the drive home. I finished it. The thing that set me off, turned out to be a misunderstanding. It didn’t change my mind, I still hate the book! 😆
Seriously though, I truly did not expect to go on an emotional rollercoaster when I decided to listen to The Lover. I don’t really like that in my books. I am not sure if I would listen to another one of Nia Forrester’s books. Judging from this book alone, she is a damn good author. The purpose of books for me is to live in another space for a few hours. Be entertained, laugh, and roll my eyes at the cheesiness. I don’t like my books close to real life. Judge me if you want, I don’t care. Lol. Maybe I just need to get over myself. Based on Dish Towel Saturday, I obviously need to feel emotions more. I just want to pick and chose when and where. Yes, I know it doesn’t work that way.
I haven’t forgotten about the other 5 of my top 10 books. That blog post will be out on Thursday. I do enjoy sharing these books with you all and I love when someone tells me that they listened to or read the book. Even if you don’t agree with me on how you feel about the book. I am also open to your book suggestions. Please do share them with me. Happy reading! Stay well and whole. Much Love 🧡 💚
Bonfire at neighborhood Labor Day party. So much fun!
Yesterday, I almost had a breakdown because I couldn’t find a Clorox Handi-Wipe to wash my dishes. I know, it wasn’t that serious. Yet, it was. It was just another thing on top of the other things that happens day to day. Y’all know the saying, “It was the straw that broke the camel’s back”. It was in that moment that I realized, I am not okay. Ughhhh, fuck!
I look at my life and I think that I have it good. I make enough money to take care of myself, I go on trips, and I put gas in my car. I have great friends. I am close to my family. I live in a good neighborhood. On the outside looking in and on the inside looking out, this works. So what’s the problem? The problem is I do not allow myself to feel. I think about all the little shit that has been happening and how I just suck it up and keep it moving. I don’t let it get to me. Yet, it is getting to me. I’m just pushing it down like a jack in the box. Then, one Saturday morning, it pops out.
To be clear, I am okay, but there are times when I am not. Instead of stuffing it down, I need to take the time to feel what I am feeling. Whether it is anger, frustration, disappointment, hopelessness. I am not saying turn into a brat and throw a fit about every little thing that happens. I am saying, when I am frustrated about dropping multiple things, feeling hopeless about the state of the world, mad about another police brutality, and I have to pause and pull it together, I need to sit in that emotion instead. I have to allow myself to feel it and release it. Then, I won’t look or feel crazy for blowing up about a dish towel.
Well, this is my resolution for said event. I am unsure if it is the right solution. I don’t know the protocol for feeling your feelings. How do you normal, emotionally regulated people deal? I am not above suggestions. I am still growing and learning, and boy do I have a lot to learn. Happy Sunday 🌞. Be well and whole. Much Love 🧡 💚
