Category: Uncategorized

Books I have read in Q1 of 2024

What books did I read in the first quarter of 2024 and what did I think of them?

I’ve already written my review of the Book of Doors but I haven’t written much about other books I’ve read since 1/1/24. So, here is a list of some of the books I have read in the first quarter of 2024.

Fiction

Rippler – Cidney Swanson – When Samantha discovers she can become invisible, her life takes quite a turn. She doesn’t feel so alone when she finds out that she isn’t the only one who can do this. Unfortunately for Samantha and Will, this skill puts them in danger. Someone out there is trying to get rid of “ripplers” and Will’s sister is key to finding out who. She used to work with a scientist that was studying this phenomenon. When the scientist is killed, Will and his sister go into hiding, which is how they ended up in Samantha’s town. Rippler follows Will, Samantha, and Will’s sister, Mickie as they try to get to the bottom of the mystery. This was a decent YA Fantasy book. It did make me want to read the rest of the series.

The Bordeaux Book Club – Gillian Harvey – What happens when you move to another country and become an expat? The Bordeaux Book Club tells the story of 5 British expats that have moved to France and meet up as a book club. There is Leah, the bored housewife who suspects her husband of cheating. Then we have Grace, a prickly divorcee who seems to know everyone and dislike them all. Monica, the new mom who is parenting her child alone while her husband travels for work. House builder, George, a non-reader who joins the club, it seems, to meet Grace. Lastly, there is young Alfie who is 2 decades younger than the rest of the group and spends most of his time at school or taking care of his ill mother. This ragtag group somehow become a family and a support system through good times and bad. I love a good group story about readers. This was an enjoyable light read.

Better Left Unsent- Lia Louis – Do you type emails you want to but shouldn’t send and save them to your drafts? Well, I Better Left Unsent is the story about a woman who is trying to survive a breakup with a coworker and watching him get engaged to another coworker. When her draft emails “accidentally” get sent, chaos ensues. I did take a great lesson away from this book — DO NOT PUT THE EMAIL ADDRESS IN A DRAFT EMAIL BECAUSE IT WILL PROBABLY GET SENT.

Becoming Madam Secretary – Stephanie Dray – This is the fictionalized story of Frances Perkins, the first female Secretary of Labor (or any other department!!). I enjoy a well written historical fiction and Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray is up there with the best I’ve read. Frances Perkins’ story is one I was not familiar with prior to reading this book. What a fascinating woman and an extraordinary life. We were lucky she lived at a time when politicians wanted to do what was best for the Country and not what lined their own pockets! I can’t recommend it enough. READ IT!!

Nightworld Academy (Terms 1 through 6) – L.J. Swallow – Kind of Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Harry Potter. When Maeve finds out that the fits she has been having are “normal” because she is a witch, her life gets turned upside down. This series has witches, vampires, shape-shifters who are mostly trying to live peacefully without being discovered by normal people. However, there are factions that done want the species to co-mingle. An ok YA Fantasy series.

Slain in the Sand (Cape Cod Cozy Mysteries – Book 2) – Angela K. Ryan – A clean, cozy murder mystery with likeable characters. I love Angela K. Ryan’s books. They will always be on my TBR list.Her murder mysteries are not gory. They have many interesting characters and I NEVER guess who done it before it is revealed in her books. Put all of her books on your radar.

Non-fiction

Facilities Management Handbook – Frank Boot – I work as a Senior Administrative Assistant at our local government Facilities Dept. Sometimes my job can get a little boring and repetitive. As someone with great curiosity, I am always looking to learn something new. I wanted to know more about what my coworkers do, so I decided to read this book. Now, when I have a question about a procedure or about a project, I have more knowledge to ask the right questions. Never stop learning.

Canva for Beginners: An Illustrative Graphic Design Guide with Photos and Professional Tips and Tricks for Marketers, Workers, or Business Owners – Edit Dickinson – I started using Canva when I worked at the library. Now I use it at work to create slides for our digital message boards. This is a good book for Canva beginners.

The Leader Assistant: Four Pillars of a Confident, Game-Changing Assistant – Jeremy Burrows – Who doesn’t want to feel like they are a game changer? Who doesn’t want to feel more confident at work? This book has gotten me through several rough patches at work. I have read it three times and it has made me a better admin. I pull this book out whenever I need a reminder that I didn’t become an Administrative Assistant for the recognition —- and it is a good thing I didn’t. LOL.

May 16, 2023 – My week drinking Golden Milk

Back in March, I was feeling physically and mentally exhausted. The stress of dealing with the aftermath of a category 5 hurricane had damaged my psyche. Between eating unhealthy food due to dealing with an unusable kitchen sink and having to sleep in an old queen sized bed, my body was rebelling. It was time to do something.

After a lot of research, I decided to try Golden Milk. What is Golden Milk? It is a drink made of warm milk of your choosing, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, and dried coconut milk. I had heard that turmeric was good for inflammation. I thought about taking turmeric pills but decided I didn’t want to go that route. I found an organic Golden Milk mix on Amazon and decided to give it a try.

Day 1: The bag of Golden Milk arrived Wednesday, May 10, 2023. I was so excited to try it. That evening, I warmed up 1 cup of cow’s milk in the microwave for one minute. I added a teaspoon of the golden powder, stirred it and sat down to sip by drink. While I wouldn’t describe it as delicious, I wouldn’t say it was disgusting. It needed just a little something to make it more enjoyable. If all goes well, I will try added maple syrup to it as suggested.

About half an hour after drinking it, I was so relaxed and ready for bed. I went to bed without taking the Tylenol Arthritis and Advil that had become a daily thing for me. I slept like a baby and woke up feeling great. I actually woke up before my alarm went off and, instead of waiting for my legs to feel good enough to walk, I got up and made a pot of coffee. No hitting snooze. I was up and at ’em.

That first day I was able to go up the stairs at work for the first time in ages and I did it without having to stop part of the way up. I didn’t only do it ONCE, I went up the stairs TWICE that day. Amazing.

Day 2: This evening I added a tsp of maple syrup to the Golden Milk. It was an improvement but still not how I wanted it to taste. It went down smoothly and, just as the first night, I was relaxed and ready for bed in half an hour. I slept like a baby again.

The next morning I woke up, still feeling better than I was. However, I was muscle sore due to pushing myself too hard and using muscles I hadn’t used in a while. I did take an Advil and after being up for a while and getting the muscles warmed up, I was much better. Even with the little bit of morning achey muscles, still an improvement over how I felt in the morning before Golden Milk entered my life.

Day 3: This evening I added a squirt of agave and a splash of vanilla extract to my Golden Milk. YES! This is how I will be making it from now on. Once I finish my regular milk I will switch to unsweetened vanilla almond milk and I won’t need the vanilla. Drank my delicious latte and once I was relaxed, I went to bed. I know you are expecting me to say I slept like a baby and I will, but not the way I first meant it. Did you know that this turmeric has diuretic qualities? Yes, I encountered the I will call the wee wee hours. I lost count of how many times, but it was a lot. Just like a baby. LOL

The next morning I woke up feeling great. I looked down and, much to my surprise, my feet and ankles were no longer puffy. I weighted myself and I lost six pounds. Yes, I said six pounds.

Day 4: Had my latte and went to bed, sleeping really well.

The next morning, I had a sinus headache but the rest of me felt fantastic. Took an Advil and that went away quickly. I made sure to drink lots of water so I didn’t get dehydrated due to the diuretic actions.

As for how I am feeling today: One a scale of 1 to 10, my arthritis and muscle pain is a 2. A week ago it was any where from an 8 to a 10. My ankles and feet no longer look like the stay puffed marshmallow man. I wore pants haven’t worn since before the pandemic. I feel fantastic.

Day 5: Had a great nights sleep after drinking my yummy latte. Woke up refreshed and went for a walk down on Charlotte Harbor. I didn’t need to stop and take a break. I even walked up the slight incline near the Spirit of Punta Gorda statue. I’m down another 4 pounds! I’ve only taken Tylenol Arthritis once since I started this. I’ve taken Advil twice. I haven’t needed to take Claritin either. I’m looking forward to continuing this stuff.

Day 6: Had my latte and slept well last night. Got up at 6:30 am this morning. Weighed myself and I was up two pounds, but that’s ok. I’ll lose it again.

It is Monday of my Staycation. I made coffee and started cleaning. Cleaned the refrigerator. Cleaned out some cabinets and took the items we no longer wanted to Good Will. I had a nice lunch and now it is time to take a break. More reports to come.

Day 7: I woke up feeling pretty good. Had a relaxing day. It is almost time to make my 7th cup of golden milk. It is funny how this has so quickly become an evening ritual. Once I feel that it’s time to meditate and get ready for bed, I get happy and look forward to that golden deliciousness.

Went for a nice walk around the block tonight. Did the whole thing without stopping. I’ve almost made my step bet goal for the day. I have 300 steps to go. After I finish that two week program, I’ll write about my experience.

What a great way to end my week of drinking Golden Milk.

My conclusion: After 7 days of Golden Milk I feel like a new woman. My arthritis is so much better. I’m sleeping great. My appetite and food cravings are so much improved. Digestion has settled. My skin is improving. My mood has improved and I’m feeling less stressed.

This was my experience with Golden Milk. Yours may or may not be similar. Please check with your physician if you plan on trying Golden Milk. Wishing you well.

Thanks for reading.