I am a little nervous leaving for summer knowing how hard it will be to come back here in the fall. It's difficult to leave all our loved ones behind in Washington, not to mention saying goodbye to Panda Express & Target for nine months!
So this year I set myself up for joy when I get back.
For mother's day I ordered myself a Learn to Knit kit from Purl Soho.
I also have a set of picture frames that I want to use to create a photo mural upstairs with pictures from our summer.
And finally, of course, I have a fully stocked bookshelf to return to. You may or may not remember that I have given up book buying for the next year. This goal is twofold-- one is to give every extra penny we have to paying down our debt, and the other is to read the many books on my shelf that have been waiting. This will be their year.
Sister by Rosamund Lupton
The Funeral Dress by Susan Gregg Gilmore
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin
Little Face by Sophie Hannah
Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson
Terilingua Teacher by Jones & Stowers
Brain Rules by John Medina
Bent Road by Lori Roy
Three Junes by Julia Glass
Casting Off by Nicole R. Dickson
Deep Down True by Juliette Fay
The Shack by W. Paul Young
Don't Let Me Go by Susan Lewis
The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult
Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom
Iron & Silk by Mark Salzman
The Pearl by Angela Hunt
The Lies We Believe by Dr. Chris Thurman
Waiting To Surface by Emily Listfield
Midwives by Chris Bohjalian
A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola
The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer
Two Little Girls in Blue by Mary Higgins Clark
She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb
Deception Point by Dan Brown
In addition to the 26 unread books on my shelf, I have four that I would like to read again next year:
The Birth House by Ami McKay
Emotionally Healthy Twins by Joan Friedman
The Great Influenza by John M. Barry
(I won't be re-reading The Great Influenza, but rather finally finishing it!)
Heaven is Here by Stephanie Nielson
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For the summer I plan to finish:
Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfeld
(which I am currently devouring!)
And then tackle:
The Feeling Good Handbook by Dr. David Burns
Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfeld
(which I am currently devouring!)
And then tackle:
The Feeling Good Handbook by Dr. David Burns
and I want to re-read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
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I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but a great place to find and exchange gently used books is Paperback Swap (www.paperbackswap.com). I've been on it for a few years and it has saved me from spending too much on books. Like you, I am a voracious reader and I love being able to swap books with others across the country.
ReplyDeleteDo you keep your house when you move to Washington for the summer or do you have to put everything into storage? My hubby is a teacher in Oregon and I am a SAHM who would love to live in Alaska. Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteWilliam's mama-- Our house in Alaska remains ours. We just lock it up and it sits & waits patiently for our return.
ReplyDeleteIn Washington, we have been lucky enough to find furnished houses to rent each summer. We have a storage unit in Washington, though, to house some of the things we need over the summers. (Bikes, camping gear, etc.)
I nearly got sad you are leaving for Washington but then realized you won't be much furher away from me in Washington than you are in Alaska as I am here in Finland!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice summer!