Sunday Salon: Ramping Up

 What a great week it's been!  I can honestly say for the first time in a long time that the past seven days have been NORMAL!  Sure I've done my share of running around, supporting the kids in their various extracurricular activities, having my body abused by Andre, a meeting here and an appointment there.  But I could actually breathe, take time for a prayer group, do some proper meal planning, and go for a walk or two.  It feels good.


But in reference to this week's post title, things ARE ramping up in several areas of my life.  In two weeks, my daughter will be going through her confirmation.  Preparing for this has required attendance to 8 classes that happen every Thursday night, and it will be a blessing to reclaim those evenings again.  On top of this ongoing project, my daughter has also progressed to her next official level of horseback riding.  Now comes cantering and jumping (gulp).    


After that is finished, my daughter has expressed her desire to volunteer at an animal shelter in order to get her community service hours for high school.  Until she turns 15, however, a parent must volunteer with her.  You see where this headed, don't you?  Our training begins on February 18th, and after a few weeks of shadowing other seasoned veterans, we will have to put in our hours.  Yes it is one more "thing" we will have to do in a week's time, but I'm secretly looking forward to this because I do love animals.  The biggest issue will be not coming home with all of them.


We are also preparing feverishly for our annual Adult Literacy League "Reading Between the Wines" event on March 1st.  I am in full tilt mode for collecting signed books for the auction.  I am THRILLED that Wendy Wax has agreed to donate a package consisting not only of her signed books but the chance to win your name in her next book!  Also the lovely authors of the Southern Belle View (Lisa Wingate, Beth Webb Hart, Marybeth Whalen, Rachel Hauck and Shellie Rushing Tomlinson) have all agreed to donate their signed books with some really adorable Belle goodies.  If any of you locals are interested in attending our event, which will feature Lisa See as our guest author, check out our site here.


I have turned one eyeball to the UCF Book Festival on March 31st as well.  We have so many excellent authors showing up for this one, but hello!  Joshilyn Jackson?!  You know, the author who is way at the top of my list?  Because I have read every one of her books?  I may have to take a Prozac to keep myself calm.  Starting on Friday, February 24, and every Friday through the end of March, I will review a book from a visiting author.  Stay tuned!


I've had a pretty good reading week as a result of all this wonderful normalcy.  On audio, I finished "The Zookeeper's Wife" by Diane Ackerman, as well as "This Beautiful Life" by Helen Schulman (both for book clubs).  I have just started "Perfect" by Ellen Hopkins (a UCF Book Festival author) and am LOVING IT.


In print I am *this* close to finishing "The Baker's Wife" by Sarah McCoy, and I'll just tell you that I love this book.  LOVE IT.  I know, a lot of reading love going on this week.  After I finish it today, I am looking forward to reading Maus I and II graphic novels, then binging on Sarah Pekkanen.  


I suppose I have bored you to death at this point.  I'm feeling chatty.  Hope you all have a wonderful, blessed Sunday!