I skipped last week’s recap post because I spent the day that I normally work on my blog post, throwing my guts up. My body rejected the new prescription that my doctor put me on and it laid me out flat. I could feel the tension in my body when I tried going to bed on Sunday night but I didn’t realize what it was until about 4:00 AM. So I didn’t sleep a wink that night, threw up everything that I ate and waited until the doctor’s office opened so that I could immediately call my doctor and fill him in on what was happening. I’m really grateful to him too because when I called, he was with patients but he didn’t leave me waiting very long. He called me as soon as he could and we talked at length about what was happening, what I was feeling and then he came up with a new plan of attack. He thought that we probably started the new medication too aggressively and lowered my dosage to let my body get used to it and it’s been a week since then and the medicine is working as it’s supposed to and I’m not sick anymore so yay!
Basketball is wrapping up right now and with the end of the season near, we’re finding out which girls have made the Conference First and Second All Star Teams and I’m proud of my girls Brenna and Kenna for making both teams. Brenna had the highest 3pt shooting percentage in our conference and Makenna lead the conference in assists and assists from turnovers in transition. All great things!
Meghan missed most of her season due to injuries so we haven’t heard if she made any teams from her conference though both her and Makenna got official invitations to play on the American Samoan National Team for the South Pacific Games. So they’ll be traveling from island to island playing basketball for Samoa. Our family is extremely proud of them both on that, especially my Dad.
And last but not least, Brenna’s birthday was yesterday and for her 20th birthday, her Uncle Pete and Aunty Tiff got her a freaking car. We were all surprised and Brenna ugly cried. It was awesome.
Now, onto the books…
Gwen Scott wants to love her job with the Charleston Thrashers, the MLB team she’s worshiped since she was a kid, but she can’t. Hateful colleagues and mind-numbing work make her days unbearable—until her head for baseball gets her exclusive access to the Thrashers’ clubhouse and she comes face-to-face with Tyler Ashe, the team’s sexy shortstop and baseball’s most ineligible bachelor.
BASES LOADED
Ty has sworn off relationships in order to focus on his all-star career, but with his best friend gone, his team struggling, and the press blaming him for every loss, the most recognizable man in the majors is in a slump. Until he starts spending his time off the field with a stern blonde who recites baseball stats for kicks and sees through his arrogant façade.
TWO OUT
As the Thrashers’ season gets into full swing and Gwen adjusts to her new job, their fun banter and friendly teasing turns into stolen kisses and countless steamy nights. The team’s strict policy against player-staff relationships throws a curve ball into the mix, but they can’t hide from their feelings any more than the most famous man in baseball can hide from the spotlight…
I made some progress on my review pile for this month and that makes me happy. I started this book this morning and I’m looking forward to diving into it more on my lunch hour because, baseball and romance? Yes, please!
What I Read
Bad Bachelor (Bad Bachelors #1) by Stefanie London (eBook) | 4 out of 5
Bad Reputation (Bad Bachelors #2) by Stefanie London (eBook)
The Kiss Quotient (The Kiss Quotient #1) by Helen Hoang (Audiobook) | 5 out of 5
Bad Influence (Bad Bachelors #3) by Stefanie London (eARC) | DNF
The Dating Game by Kiley Roache (eARC) | 3.25 out of 5
Eyes on Me by Rachel Harris (eARC) | 4 out of 5
This week was for, you guessed it, basketball. Bren and Ken played on Wednesday and Friday and Meghan played on Thursday and Saturday, and I went to all of their games. Bren and Ken won both of their games this week but Meghan’s team is struggling so they went 1-1 this week.
This week, I also babysat for my brother and his wife who went to Vegas for the weekend to celebrate my sister in law’s birthday. I was babysitting this little guy here. We spent the day on Saturday in Costa Mesa for Meghan’s basketball game. He’s a giant ball of energy and he’s so smart and so funny.
Caleb: Aunty! Did you know that April Ham Lincoln’s birthday is coming up and we don’t have school?
Me: Who?
Caleb: You know April Ham? He’s on the dollar bill.
Bwahahahaha, he now says Abraham correctly but I had a good laugh at that one. On our way to breakfast yesterday, we had this conversation. To premise the conversation, Friday night, me and the kids fell asleep in the living room, on the couches. Saturday night, I didn’t sleep there because my back was hurting.
Caleb: Aunty, so I was thinking. Do you know why your back hurts when you sleep on the couch and mine doesn’t?
Me: No, why?
Caleb: Because, my back is smaller, I’m young and I’m strong. You’re old and you’re weak.
Me: Hahahahaha.
Caleb: I’m serious.
Bwahahahaha. This kid, man.
Now, onto the books…
For one charming playboy, getting cast on a Bachelor-esque reality TV show is the shock of a lifetime—until he finds love where he least expects it. And now the chase is on!
Gage Barrett’s reputation as a ladies’ man has been greatly exaggerated, but none of that matters after a drunken bet lands him on Jilted, a reality TV show that matches runaway grooms with wannabe brides. Now he’s stuck at a Hawaiian resort with nineteen women competing to drag him back to the altar—and one contestant who’s even more miserable than he is. Gage has no idea how feisty, independent Ellie Wright wound up in the cast, but it’s obvious she hates his guts. And if there’s one thing Gage likes, it’s a challenge. . . .
Ellie can’t believe she let her best friend talk her into exchanging her dignity for a glorified bikini contest. Still, she could use the exposure—her business is struggling—and she’ll probably be one of the first to get eliminated anyway. But Gage isn’t the shallow jerk Ellie anticipated—and he’s in no rush to send her home. As stolen kisses turn into secret trysts, she finds herself losing track of what’s real and what’s for the camera. With the wedding finale looming, this runaway groom is tempting Ellie to start believing in storybook endings.
Ames and I missed reading our January book for our buddy review so we’re doubling up this month and the first book we’re reading is Runaway Groom by Lauren Layne and so far, I’m enjoying it a lot more than I enjoyed Ready to Run so I’m hopeful that this will continue to be awesome.
This month’s recap will be for the last two months since I disappeared and this blog was left abandoned. I’ve been busy but I’ve also been lazy. Story of my life.
What I Did
Emme’s baptism: One of best friends from when I was a kid has a kid that just got baptized and Bren, Ken and I were on hand to help Hanah (my friend) make sure that everything was perfect for little Emme. It was good to see everyone come out to support little Emme and we had fun, so all in all, it was a great day.
Meghan met Kobe Bryant: So last month, Meghan met our family’s favorite NBA player of all time…Kobe Bryant. You should have seen us when she texted us her picture with him (the one above) and told us all about how he came to her practice to spit some basketball knowledge and help them with the offense that they’re running since it’s the same one he ran with the Lakers. We were so excited and stoked for ourselves like we met him and not Meghan. What a trip that Meghan chooses to go to a small school and she met Kobe Bryant, her all time favorite player. Never thought that would happen and even though it didn’t happen to me…it kind of did because I’m really close with Meghan..right? LOL.
Those are the highlights of the last couple of months and I’m leaving that Kobe Bryant picture right there, big as hell, because…it’s KOBE!!
Now, on to the books…
What I Read
On a Tuesday (One Week #1) by Whitney G. | 3.75 out of 5
Played (Gridiron #4) by Jen Frederick | 4.25 out of 5
Lady Sophia’s Lover (Bow Street Runners #2) by Lisa Kleypas | 4 out of 5
Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas (Re-Read) | 4 out of 5
Sustained (Legal Briefs #2) by Emma Chase (Re-Read) | 5 out of 5
An Ex for Christmas (Love Unexpectedly #5) by Lauren Layne | 4 out of 5
Holiday Wishes (Heartbreaker Bay #4.5) by Jill Shalvis | 4 out of 5
A Duke in Shining Armor (Disgraceful Dukes #1) by Loretta Chase | 4.25 out of 5
Changing the Game (Play by Play #2) by Jaci Burton | 4 out of 5
Hate to Want You (Forbidden Hearts #1) by Alisha Rai | 4 out of 5
Wrong to Need You (Forbidden Hearts #2) by Alisha Rai | 4 out of 5
Hard Cherish (Hard Play #1) by Nalini Singh | 4 out of 5
Bountiful (True North #4) by Sarina Bowen | 4.75 out of 5
Hooking Up (Shacking Up #2) by Helena Hunting | 4.25 out of 5
The Ones that Got Away (The Ones that Got Away #1) by Roni Loren | 4 out of 5
Roomies by Christina Lauren | 3.75 out of 5
August was a busy month for me and for my family. Summer came to an end, we went to Vegas for our annual end of summer family vacation, we moved Meghan into her dorm room, Brenna came home from her summer trip to Colorado and started her freshman year of college. We also got to spend some time with baby Caiden without his parents for an entire week. That was fun and I miss him just a little more every day that passes and he’s in Utah and I’m here in California. We also celebrated some birthdays. Brookey, Caleb, my sister Blanche and Brenna’s boyfriend RJ and then my friends Foti and Ralph. When did August get so popular in the birthday department? Ha!
September will be filled with lots of school stuff. Brenna starts basketball with Kenna, Chase and Brody are playing football and Makaela is playing volleyball. There are 9 of us siblings and we all have kids. Our lives are never boring, that’s for sure.
What I Did
Team Wilson Gang Takes Over Vegas
Before summer ended, Team Wilson gang headed out to Vegas for a week of fun in the desert sun and we laughed the week away. So much fun swimming, eating and shopping at the outlets.
Jarred’s Baby Shower
As you can see, I really liked the dessert table at my nephew’s baby shower. The whole theme for the shower was Wild Things and the decorations were adorable…the snickerdoodle bars were the bomb too.
Moved Meghan into her Dorm
Meghan started her junior year of college at Vanguard University and we went to help her set up her dorm. I thought the whole set up came out well.
What I Read
1. Love in the Friend Zone by Molly E. Lee | 4 out of 5
2. Arm Candy (Real Love #2) by Jessica Lemmon | 4.25 out of 5
3. Links by Lisa Becker | 3 out of 5
4. Gentlemen Prefer Heiresses (Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James #4.5) by Lorraine Heath | 4.25 out of 5
5. Royally Screwed (Royally #1) by Emma Chase | 4 out of 5
6. Clean Sweep (Innkeeper Chronicles #1) by Ilona Andrews | 4 out of 5
7. Something about You (FBI/US Attorney’s #1) by Julie James | 4.25 out of 5
8. Royally Matched (Royally #2) by Emma Chase | 4.5 out of 5
9. Royally Raised (Royally #2.5) by Emma Chase | 4 out of 5
10. Royally Endowed (Royally #3) by Emma Chase | 4 out of 5
11. Temporary by Sarina Bowen & Sarah Mayberry | 4 out of 5
12. Fallen Heir (Royals #4) by Erin Watt | DNF
My favorite read of the month goes to Royally Matched (Royally #2) by Emma Chase. I just adored Henry and Sarah’s story. I loved Sarah so much too.
My least favorite read of the month goes to Fallen Heir (Royals #4) by Erin Watt. I just couldn’t deal with the Royals shenanigans. I’m also not here for another cliffhanger so I think I’m going to quit this series for good.
This song was my favorite song from August. August was the month that we decided to get a group together to go to Stagecoach. The we that I’m talking about is me, Bren and Ken. Ha. Brett Young is going to be there so I’m all in. I honestly can’t wait, it’s going to be so much fun, I just know it.
What I Watched on TV
This is the only show that I remember from July to August. LOL. Can you blame me? Jon and Dany and the big war and Jon’s real identity (and name!), the Stark shenanigans, it all made for one thrilling season and we’ve got a long ass wait until the next and final season. Someone hold me.
What Movies I Watched
These were the only movies that I watched in August because, well, Game of Thrones. Everything is GOT’s fault. I didn’t shit else but watch and obsessed over that damn show and Jon Snow. Ha!
What I Loved
Poke Bowls
Brenna and I are pretty addicted to the poke bowls at the Poke Bar. They opened one near our house which is a lot closer than our normal poke bowl spot and we get to mix and match our poke bowls just the way that we like it. We’ve had poke for lunch or dinner every week in August. Brenna is getting scared that we might be close to being in danger of mercury poisoning, we’ve eaten there so much. But dude, it’s the bomb.
Man, what a month. How was your August? Did you do anything fun? Read or watch anything that was good? Bad? I’d love to hear about it all in the comments!
Happy Monday to everyone! I’ve been in a funk this past week and a lot of that had to do with the way that our basketball seasons have ended. Brenna was not supposed to go out in the first round, Meghan was supposed to make the playoffs and Kenna was supposed to beat St. Anthony’s to advance to the semi-finals. None of that happened and I’ve been struggling to move on from all that madness.
In happier news, Meghan got Player of the Year for her conference. I’m super happy for her because she’s worked so hard and sadly, it’s not enough. I’m not sure if she’s going to get to play at the next level but seriously colleges? You don’t get Player of the Year two years in a row on a fluke! Let the girl play!
My nephews, Luke and Brody (the next generation of basketball players in our family) had their last games of the season as well and we celebrated with burgers at Burger City Grill. The kids all had fun playing and eating together and the adults were able to unwind from the long week and the even longer basketball seasons.
Of all the last games, it was Kenna’s game that hurt me the most. I think it hurt her the most, too because she hasn’t been herself ever since. She’s quiet, withdrawn and just angry at the world. She worked hard and she’s frustrated with the ending to her game. Lots of miscommunication on her coaching staff during the game that ultimately led to their loss and the whole thing doesn’t sit right with her. She’s never been emotional about games but this one was hard to take and my heart hurts for my Kenna. It was hard for all of the kids but Brenna didn’t have much faith in her coach (neither did I) so she knew that it could have been her last game but Kenna’s team should have won. It should have been an easy win so it’s understandable that she’s still emotional about it. On the upside, she’s decided that she’s not done with basketball and that her and Brenna will be playing at our local college next year so I’m happy about that.
I’ve been plenty busy during my first official free week, post basketball. I rearranged my room, I cleaned out my closet, did all of our laundry and have gotten together a pile of clothes that we will be donating to the Goodwill. Very productive weekend because I even caught up on my shows while I was folding laundry and putting everything away. Woot!
Now if I could just get my reading under way, I would be set.
New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh returns to her world of angelic rulers, vampiric servants, and the woman thrust into their darkly seductive world…
Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux wakes from a year-long coma to find herself changed—an angel with wings the colors of midnight and dawn—but her fragile body needs time to heal before she can take flight. Her lover, the stunningly dangerous archangel, Raphael, is used to being in control—especially when it comes to the woman he considers his own. But Elena has never done well with authority.
They’ve barely begun to understand each other when Raphael receives an invitation to a ball from the archangel, Lijuan. To refuse would be a sign of fatal weakness, so Raphael must ready Elena for the flight to Beijing—and to the nightmare that awaits them there. Ancient and without conscience, Lijuan holds a power that lies with the dead. And she has organized the most perfect and most vicious of welcomes for Elena.
After I finished Silver Silence, I had every intention of digging into this book so that I can get it read for my buddy review with Holly. Basketball messed me up so I didn’t read anything but Silver Silence. I thought I’d get some reading done this weekend but nope, I lied to myself again. It didn’t happen. Hopefully after book club tonight, I can dig into this one and get back to my review pile. I’m sure it’s good, I just have to actually read it to enjoy it. Wish me luck.
I really adored this book and am looking forward to more from this spin off of a dear to my heart world. I need the next book like…now. Right now. Ugh, trying to be patient for that will probably be the death of me. Gah.