Man, I’m such a procrastinator with these posts. Is it really any surprise? Like my blog name says…All in Good Time! It’s funny how, for me, being 5 minutes early somewhere feels like I’m late. But when it comes to getting my sh*t done I put it off until the last minute.
Last year, I started off my recap post stating “what a difference a year makes”. That holds true even more this year than last year!
That part time job I had gotten? Done. Unfortunately, the coffee shop had to close. It’s hard for small business owners out there. Not only did I meet so many lovely people from my own community while working there, I got to meet Beto O’Rourke when he made the shop one of his public stops in metro Detroit when he announced his candidacy for president. Regardless of your politics, the man is a wonderful public speaker. He really knows how to talk to a crowd and engage his audience.
My sister-in-law and me with Beto O’Rourke at Hometown Heroes Coffee and More
My husband finally got his Jeep. It’s something he’s wanted for most of his life. When he couldn’t get “one more winter” out of our 2002 Malibu, it was his time to get something he wanted instead of gearing his choice to kids, after school activities, and such. That Malibu served us well. It was originally bought while we still lived in California, drove us across the country to our home in Michigan, went through every person in this house (both boys learned to drive in the Malibu) and swung back around to my husband when the boys moved away and it was on its last legs. He somehow got another few years out of it, though. We used to always take my car everywhere, now he loves being the one who drives. Can you blame him?
The biggest (and most exciting) change has been becoming grandparents. Hazel was born at the end of September and I headed out to visit them in Washington state in October. My husband met me out there a few weeks later and we both headed home to Michigan just before Thanksgiving. When I left on the trip I didn’t know I’d be having a full house soon. The kids (as we call them) decided to move back to Michigan when Griffin got out of the Army (he’s still National Guard, but no longer active duty). They are all staying with us while they settle into life in Michigan…finding jobs, house hunting, etc. Talk about a huge change! We now have both of our boys living here, as well as our daughter-in-law and granddaughter. Whew! Like I said (a lot), what a difference a year makes!
Anyone who has ever lived with a baby, especially a super cute baby that they want to snuggle all the time, knows it can be hard to find reading time. Looking back, it seems I tend to slow down at the end of the year anyway. I made my reading goal (barely), but adjusted my 2020 reading goal since I don’t know how long I’ll have a baby in the house.
I set my 2019 reading goal at 200. The year before I had surpassed that number so didn’t think it would be an issue. Again…baby. I just barely made it to 200 books by the skin of my teeth. Which is why I decided to go back to 150 books for 2020. Not only does Hazel live here right now, but I’m also her babysitter when mom and dad go to work. Unless I can count all the board books I’ll be reading Hazel, I don’t know if I can make it to 200.
Here’s a recap of my 2019 Goodreads Year in Books…
I read 24 books that I rated 5 stars in 2019. That’s less than in 2019, but still a lot of great books. These are some of my favorite of the favorites, so to speak.
Good Luck With That Rex Evvie Drake Starts Over Repeat
This Is How It Always Is Marrying Daisy Bellamy Once Upon a Christmas Eve Shadowed
While I reached my reading goal for 2019, there were a lot of other things that fell by the wayside. Having some annoying health issues kept me from getting in as much physical activity as I would have liked, but I have to say that being an avid reader often saved me on days I just didn’t feel I could get off the couch. At least there was something I could do, even if it wasn’t cleaning, exercising, or going to the grocery store.
I’ve re-upped my hope to get some more exercise into my daily life. While Hazel tends to take me away from my reading, I’m hoping when the weather turns warmer she’ll be getting me out on walks and bike rides more often. Not to mention, with the Jeep now in our lives, I foresee more hiking excursions in our future.
Beside the reading goal of 150 books for 2020, I have a loose idea of actually cutting back on accepting ARCs. I’m they type of person that feels I have to read the book and post my review BEFORE publication day. To be quite frank, I have felt overwhelmed more than is necessary lately trying to get all my books read in a timely manner. I have, on many occasions, had to renew books from the library multiple times because I haven’t had time to read them in addition to the ARCs I have. Don’t get me wrong, I love having an opportunity for ARCs. I just have to be more choosy in what I request or accept. That may not sound like a hard thing to do, but it’s extremely difficult for me. I just want to read all of the books!
Well, there you have it…my 2019 recap and goals for 2020. Once again, at the end of January. This year has already be crazy busy with some unexpected highs and lows, so I’m buckling in for the roller coaster ride that I’m sure 2020 will be.
All In Good Time 
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