December Goals Review

Here's how December went:

• Visit the Christmas market with family - done!
• Fondu night - no.
• Sort out the hobby room - done!
• Finish a crochet project - done!
• Make Christmas cards - done!

November Goals Review

Well, November was a bit of a wash out:

• Family day out - nope.
• Celebrate Joshua's birthday - planned.
• Lantern festival - done!
• Lose weight - done! (Just.)
• Budget - nope.
• Complete a crochet project - nope. (I now have two on the go!)

Reading Review

The Fifth Profession - David Morrell

One of my free 200 collection, this one is slightly older but I almost prefer thrillers from a time with less technology.

This novel follows a bodyguard as he tries to unravel a traumatic experience from his past. It's an interesting concept and kept me guessing.

I can't say I was 100% happy with the ending but I did enjoy it.

Tales from Shakespeare - Charles and Mary Lamb

Nico brought me this book home from work. It was written in the nineteenth century as a 'modern' take on Shakespeare's stories.

Sometimes the Victorian style was hard to follow but I feel like I got to know Shakespeare better and the short stories helped to break up the reading.

I did find it annoying that Shakespeare seemed to think a change of clothes would stop family members recognising each other in so many of his works...

Origin - Dan Brown

I treated myself to this new book in the holidays as it has been on my list for a while. 

Dan Brown is one of my favourite authors and this one did not disappoint. As an extra bonus, the story is set in Barcelona and lots of my favourite places were mentioned which made me want to jump on a plane.

Robert Langdon returns in a bid to help a former student release his life-changing message to the world. Full of facts, politics and history, it was just my thing.

October Goals Review

Here's how the month went for me:

• Fondu night - not yet.
• Family day trip - done!
• Lose weight - done!
• Fill the planter in the garden - done!
• Keep up the videos - done!
• Three craft projects - done!
• Fix up Isabella's wardrobes - done - just need organising!

September Goal Review

Here's how the month went:

• Plant some vegetables in the garden - not yet.
• Keep up the videos - done!
• Start my new job! - done!!!
• Lose weight - no, but I didn't gain either.
• Family day trip- done!
• Learn to play backgammon - done!

Reading Review

The Mirror World - Gavin Extence

I came across this in Scarborough. It tells the story of a women suffering from manic depression. It's fiction and there were some funny and sweet moments, as well as a good ending but parts were also a bit depressing too.

The Saint meets the tiger - Leslie Charteris

From the huge 200+ book collection, I finally dug out the very first Saint novel. I do like the stories in this series and this one really kept me guessing but the language and how it's written are a real challenge and it took me much longer than it should have to wade through this.

Turning Thirty - Mike Gayle

Another from the 200+, I really enjoyed this one. It's fairly modern and follows Matt on the approach to his 30th birthday as he evaluates his life. 

There were lots of good characters, fun moments and twists. I'd like to read more from this author.

August Goals Review

• Start my new job (and find a new routine) - no...
• Keep up with the videos - done!
• Get back to my lowest weight of the year - no...
• Day out with the kids - no...
• Get the garden in order!!! - in progress.
• Gonis Power Start. - no....

So it has been a struggle this month. Hold ups with my new job and in general have really set me back. Hopefully things will get back on track in September.

Reading Review

Simple Genius - David Baldacci

An older murder mystery with links to the CIA, WW2 and code breaking, I quite enjoyed this novel. It wasn't extremely unique but it did keep me guessing.

Two private detectives travel to a research facility in order to investigate a death which has otherwise been ruled suicide. I liked the historical link and the odd twist in there.

Midwives - Chris Bohjalian

Another novel from my free 200 collection, this one was very different. It told the story of a midwife who faced a manslaughter trial in the 70s and is told from the point of view of her teenage daughter.

This one was a real page turner, very emotional, and it had a few twists in there. I liked the depth to this story and the character development.

The Man from St.Petersburg - Ken Follett

I love Ken Follett even though his early works don't live up to his more recentcontributions.

This story was set in the run up to the First World War and follows the attempts of a Russian anarchist to prevent his country being dragged into the war.

There are many complications and twists and I really enjoyed this one.

July Goals Review

Here's how this month has gone:

• 3 DIY projects - done!
• Get on top of the garden - nope.
• Catch up with the crochet - done!
• Keep up with the videos - missed one day...
• Get back on the Paleo track - done, except while on holiday.
• Three exercise sessions per week - on the way but the holiday corrupted me
• Enjoy some quality family time - done!

Not a bad month, and it has been crazy busy.  Looking forward to August.

June Goals Review

Here's how my month went:

• Finish, frame and hang my crossstitch - done!
• Keep up the videos - done!
• Celebrate Isabella's birthday - done (still tidying up)!
• Three exercise sessions per week - 3/4 weeks.
• Get caught up with my crochet projects - on track but not quite.
• Get on top of the garden - nope.
• 3 DIY projects - nope.

Took on a bit too much this month but with holidays in July I'll be looking to correct that!

Reading Review

Those who leave and those who stay - Elena Ferrante

Nico bought me the third instalment of this series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It wasn't as exciting and easy to read as the first two but I enjoyed it on a different level because it follows the protaganist in the stage of life that I see myself in right now - that of early marriage and having children. 

I can't explain how this series affects me but I highly recommend it for readers of my demographic. Looking forward to the next one.

The Bat- Jo Nesbo

This one took me a loong time to get into.  I enjoyed it once it picked up the pace but for me it was trying too hard to be clever. I'd still like to try more from this author in the hope that he improves.

The Physicists - Friedrich Dürrenmatt

I recently reread this German classic to help one of my students. It's a strange German comedy play written in the sixties about a series of murders in a sanatorium. It's full of twists and laugh out loud moments but it's also terribly dated and I'm feeling older all the time since my eighteen-year-old tutee does not appreiate the humour!

May Goals Review

• 3 DIY projects - done!
• Mummy dates with the kids - done!
• Family cycle trip - done!
• Plant the garden pots - balcony done!
• Keep up with the daily goals - done!
• 3 sport sessions per week - done!

April Goal Review

• Get cracking in the garden - done!
• Keep up the cross stitch and daily videos - done!
• Mummy dates with the kids - done!
• Lose weight - done!
• Finish three DIY projects - two out of three...

Fitbit

For my birthday, Nico bought me a fitbit. It had been on my list for a while and I wasn't sure whether it would just be fad. So far, I love it.

It tracks my steps, heart rate, sleep patterns, water intake and more. 

So far I've learned that I am very good at getting seven hours sleep each night. It's the goal I hit most often.

I'm working on the other goals and tracking my weight again. The great thing is that it automatically recognises when I'm exercising. It picks up my cycling or zumba classes. 

Also, I've set it to remind me at ten to each hour, to get to the next step goal. 

The downside is seeing how little I move some days.

I'm also loving the silent alarm on a morning and the notifications when I get a call on my phone. Technology is amazing!

So while I know the Fitbit can't do the work for me, for a goal junkie like me, it's a brilliant inspiration. I'm hoping it will help me refresh my outlook on health this Summer and help to refresh my weight-loss attempts!

Reading Review

The Hammer of Eden - Ken Follett

This was a good read but I can't say it was up to the standard of Follett's more recent work. It is the story of a terrorist group which tries to threaten the American government by causing earthquakes.

One for my Baby - Tony Parsons

Another of my 200 free books collection, this wasn't one that would have otherwise been on my radar. It is about an English teacher who met his wife in Hong Kong and is now living back in London following her death.

There's no real drive in the book but I really enjoyed it. The characters are well written and the story is interesting.

High Society - Ben Elton

This book is a humorous look at drug use in the UK. Well, there is obviously a serious side to the theme but, as with several of Ben Elton's novels, he finds a way to make it fun.

It follows the idea of legalising drugs in the UK. He looks at many different aspects of drug use and I really enjoyed it. The characters are interesting and fun.

March Goals Review

• Finish spring cleaning the house - in progress.
• Keep up the daily videos and crossstitch - done!
• Get back to Zumba and dance classes - done!
• Have a one to one 'date' with Isabella and Joshua - done!
• Do the tax return - done!

Quarterly Review!

How are we nearly a quarter of the way through the year?! Time really is flying!

I've gone from being home on maternity leave, going stir-crazy, to being run off my feet. Half of the house has been spring cleaned, I've done two new crochet projects and taken on a new role at the nursery/kindergarten. I got halfway to my goal weight and I'm loving Zumba.

The kids have come on leaps and bounds. Isabella's had her first sleepover and made so many friends at Kindergarten. Both kids have had growth spurts and Joshua is communicating more and using a fork.

Right now I'm working five jobs and life is a whirlwind. I'm using the holidays to get on top of work, sort the house and garden, and do some finances.

The new years' resolutions are going well and while I sometimes feel like I'm alternately treading water and drowning, it's nice to take the opportunity to see how far I've come since January.

And the year has still lots to offer - a hen do, a trip to England, two weddings, becoming a Godmother, and of course, the privelege to watch my two children grow and learn. Great times!

Reading Review - Kids edition!

My reading has slowed down a little at the moment and I'm good with that.  This month I thought I would share with you some of the reading I've been doing with Isabella.  She's now three and a half so we read to her and I try to be consistant in reading English while Nico reads in German.

The BFG - Roald Dahl

We've been reading this since my Mum came to visit before Christmas.  I try to do a chapter each time but sometimes we mix it up.  I was a little unsure if she was ready for such a long book but she really enjoys it, she is excited to find out what happens next and she tells her own stories with giants and the Queen!  I love Roald Dahl and I would definitely recommend reading this.

The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes - Mark Pett and Gary Rubenstein

This one was recommended as a good book to read to girls.  I think it's a good message for boys too to be honest.  I'm not sure she totally grasps the message yet but she does enjoy this one and along with Tiger in a Tutu, she's enjoying it just for the story right now.

Green Eggs and Ham - Dr Seuss

Isabella has three Dr Seuss books and we love reading all of them but I think this is her favourite right now.  The words and rhyme are amazing and I love that Isabella's learning English through such a talented author.

February Goal Review

• Get all my new jobs up and running - done!
• Finish sorting upstairs in the house done!
• Launch my online Dawanda shop - completely forgotten.
• Continue with Paleo and exercise - tailed off with all the work etc.
• Crossstitch and video every day - done!

Reading Review

Strange Fits of Passion - Anita Shreve

This novel tells the story of a woman fleeing domestic abuse.  It is clear from the beginning that there is going to be a dramatic climax to the story and it didn't disappoint. 

The book is set in the seventies and that is quite telling in how the topic of domestic abuse is dealt with. 

I enjoyed the story and how it was told from different points of view. 

The Saint Steps In - Leslie Carteris

Another in the Saint series, this was a nice little mystery.  This time it was set in America and while I am still getting used to the style of Charteris' writing, I enjoyed the story and trying to figure out what was happening.

Bill Bryson's African Diary - Bill Bryson

This was a short but sweet little read.  I like Bill Bryson's writing and his diary of a week in Kenya to raise money for CARE international did not disappoint.  I can only recommend it!