Word of the year and Reading List
Savor
I am definitely easing into 2023 and not feeling like it’s a new year entirely yet. We still have our Christmas tree up and the extra snowy days have kept me cuddled up inside. I haven’t sprung into action yet, but I think that is ok. The word I’m choosing for this year is Savor. We have so many sweet things happening right now including growing a baby girl, I just want time to slow down to fully enjoy this special time.
Last year’s recap shows that 2021 was a really good year overall. I’m officially a certified appraiser and have been loving the independence and the work. It feels like such a dream that I am doing this now, and I am thankful every day. I love my job and people I work with, and that I do not take for granted. Work is slow this year with rising interest rates and economic recession factors at play, but hopefully spring will pick up. Although I will be on maternity leave with baby girl. Joe is as busy as ever with work and his business, which has grown tremendously. We still have plenty to learn, but he has expanded his client base and the team seems to be getting into a steady rhythm.
I can’t believe we remodeled the kitchen last year! It has been an amazing transformation. I really fell off the wagon doing blog posts, but it turned out beautifully. We started around Thanksgiving, and finished just before Easter, making it a 5 month total project. Which is pretty dang good in my book. Our house is still ever under construction, and we’ll be working on a nursery very soon. Pregnancy has been good to me so far, my boobs are a whole size up! Praying for a smooth labor and delivery.
Victory
My word last year was victory, and I think I lived into that. We lived it up. We also have started an AirBnb/VRBO investment up in Breezy Point on Pelican Lake! An opportunity fell into our lap, so we took the plunge and are currently remodeling that. I was on the fence about us taking this on after just finding out I was pregnant, but after some prayer and journaling, it was quite clear that we had a green light. I can’t believe in just 4 months we will be renting it out, and have a newborn. Life is amazing, and I want to savor every day of it. I know parenthood will be the hardest thing we’ve ever done, but it will also be the most incredible and I hope I can remember to cherish that on the hardest days.
2022 Bucket List
- Finish the kitchen by spring ✅ (Technically we still have crown molding to do, but we did great on this project overall)
- Write more letters and notes of encouragement ❌ Oh wow, forgot about this one. Maybe I can work on that…
- Get a new car – maybe not this year, but I would like a Hybrid Toyota Hylander 2018 or newer ✅ Oh hey I did get a new car! By necessity. And since the used car market was so ridonculous, I got a new new car. How exciting! Still on the waitlist for a hybrid, but the regular version is perfect for now and perfect for baby.
- January Yoga with Adriene 30 day challenge✅ Yes this will be my 3rd year? I will have to make some pregnancy modifications, but so far so good.
Reading List from 2022
Malibu rising : a novel by Reid, Taylor Jenkins author. I have read several of her books now and highly recommend!
- A hidden wholeness : the journey toward an undivided life : welcoming the soul and weaving community in a wounded worldby Palmer, Parker J., author. Do not remember reading this, but must have been good!
Laughing at my nightmare by Burcaw, Shane, author – kind of fell in love with him and his now wife and their YouTube channel, especially since they live in Minnesota. Such an inspiring, funny couple.
Strangers assume my girlfriend is my nurse by Burcaw, Shane, author. Another one from them.
Not so different : what you really want to ask about having a disability by Burcaw, Shane, author. And his children’s book
Firekeeper’s daughter by Boulley, Angeline author. One of the better books I read this year. I think technically it is a YA/teen fiction book, but there is a lot of Native heritage and culture that I really appreciated about this book!
Cozy minimalist home : more style, less stuff by Smith, Myquillyn, author. Not super noteworthy, but I good read for decluttering your home, but keeping it cozy.
The interior design handbook : furnish, decorate, and style your space by Ramstedt, Frida, author. I actually really enjoyed this book. It is something of a textbook, but is super simple, and reads in a straight-forward voice. It has practical tips for design and guides and measurements with visuals. It covers a variety of topics.
Magpie murders by Horowitz, Anthony, 1955- author. This was a fun British murder mystery, and a book within a book.
Memphis : a novel by Stringfellow, Tara M., author. A pretty good read! Multi-generational story set in Memphis.
The lies I tell : a novel by Clark, Julie, 1971- author. Ooh yes, now I remember this one! Super good read that kept me guessing.
In the time of the butterflies by Alvarez, Julia author. Probably my #1 fave for the year. It is about the Dominican Republic early 1900’s dictatorship and uprising against it. The story follows 4 sisters involved in the communist party. It is a historical nonfiction, which I am fond of.
The beekeeper of Aleppo : a novel by Lefteri, Christy, 1980- author. A heavy read, but good one and fairly short. Based on Syria’s civil war and was written by someone who worked closely with refugees and immigrants.
Once there were wolves : a novel by McConaghy, Charlotte, author. Another really good one. This is based in Scotland and is about reintroducing wolves in to the ecosystem. But it is a fictional murder mystery story. Some interesting elements.
The good sister by Hepworth, Sally author. I just finished this one and it was great! A quirky but dark book about twin sisters, where we are trying to uncover the truth about the “good” sister from the start.
Bad vibes only : (and other things I bring to the table) : essays by McInerny, Nora, author. I’ve read a few of her books and this was probably my favorite. Very funny essay-style short stories that are the perfect length.
Will Smith, Will – I read this at the beginning of the year before he went and flushed his reputation town the drain. I do really love his ghost writer Mark Manson, so it was a good read for me.
Atlas of the heart : mapping meaningful connection and the language of human experience Brown, Brené, author. I have read most of her work too, and again one of my favorites.
2023 Bucket List
-Get an accountant for our businesses!
-Financial planning
-Have AirBnb done by March
-Enjoy a babymoon vacation
-Savor the special 1st year with baby 🙂
