Author: Michelle

Blog | Resolutions and Plans for 2020
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Blog | Resolutions and Plans for 2020

MichelleLeave a comment

I would like to start out by saying that I don’t actually make “resolutions” for each new year. Resolutions are made and broken so quickly these days that it’s not worth my time to come up with unattainable goals.

Instead, I come up with one or two things I’d like to improve on or add to my life; things like travel or a new hobby or making more time for friends and family. On a slightly more personal note, I would very much like to get together with my long-distance boyfriend and be able to see him face-to-face. Wouldn’t that be nice?

So, for 2020 I plan to continue traveling and would like to visit:

  • Tazewell, TN (for a knitting retreat)
  • Pittsburgh, PA (for hockey)
  • Nashville, TN (to visit friends)

Things I’d like to accomplish include:

  • Posting more consistently to this blog
  • Attend church on a regular basis
  • Reading more than 52 books this year
  • Spending less time in front of the television
  • Learn how to knit more things
  • Be successful in my career

I’ve already posted one, and I’ll be sharing a few more “Best of 2019” posts in the next little bit here, so be on the lookout!

While you’re waiting for those, what new and interesting things are you planning on doing in 2020? Is it going to be a big year for you or just another trip around the sun? What are you most excited for? Comment below and let me know what you’ll be up to in 2020!

blog · movie review · review

My Favorite Movies of 2019

MichelleLeave a comment

According to my Letterboxd account, I’ve watched nearly a hundred movies this year! Which is insane, because I don’t really like to sit around in front of the television… I guess being in a long-distance relationship and having PlayStation Party Dates has encouraged my couch-potato-ness.

Because the list is SO long, I’m only going to share new films I watched. Perhaps I’ll do a favorite re-watch list another time?

Continue reading “My Favorite Movies of 2019” →
Travel | Pittsburgh 2019
blog · pittsburgh · travel

Travel | Pittsburgh 2019

MichelleLeave a comment

I had a lot on my plate leading into what has become my annual October visit to Pittsburgh, PA for hockey and touristy things with my mother…

  • I had accidentally booked our room for only one of the two nights we would be in town.  While it was a pretty easy thing to fix, the unexpected hit on my budget and surprise “oops!” caused a fair bit of stress leading up to our departure.
  • We left the house later than originally planned and spent most of our time going through security worried that we wouldn’t make it to our gate on time.
  • And I’d only just talked with my boyfriend the evening before about not being able to go see him.

Day One…

Continue reading “Travel | Pittsburgh 2019” →
blog · challenges · library life

2020 Library Love Challenge

MichelleLeave a comment
Hosted by Angel’s Guilty Pleasures & Books of My Heart

If you’ve been around for a little while, you’ll know that one of my goals for 2020 is to read more and, since I have limited shelf space, I plan to get many of these books from my local libraries. I will be trying for the Library Addict level, but may go on for the Library Card on Fire level… we shall see.

If you’d also like to participate, here’s what you’ll need to know:

  • The challenge runs from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020.
  • You can join at any time and sign ups will remain open until December 31, 2020.
  • Put a sign up post on your blog (or dedicate a Goodreads shelf or LibraryThing) and link it in the linky on the host’s site. Make sure it’s public. 
  • There will be a Monthly Email dedicated to the library love challenge that will focus on the monthly posts.
  • Please link back to both challenge hosts and include the challenge button in your sign-up posts.
  • The goal is to read at least twelve (12) books from the library, but you can read more. While twelve is the minimum; there is no maximum limit.
  • Any format will work for this challenge (prints, eBooks, or audios); as long as you checked it out from the library, it counts.
  • You can read any genre you want!
  • Crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed, including re-reads. The goal is to support your local library and save money.
  • As an added bonus: MONTHLY GIVEAWAYS will be offered with this Challenge. On the 1st of every month, a link-up will go up on both Angel’s Guilty Pleasures and Books of My Heart where you can leave your links for your reviews on the books you read from the library.
    • (Optional) Reviews: Write a review to enter the giveaway. 2 sentences or an essay, whatever works for you, but there is a minimum of 2 sentences.
  • Please use the #LibraryLoveChallenge hashtag
  • Sign up HERE

Levels

  • Dewey Decimal: Read 12 books
  • Thrifty Reader: Read 24 books
  • Overdrive Junkie: Read 36 books
  • Library Addict: Read 48 books
  • Library Card on Fire: Read 60+ books

Tracker

  • 01/09/2020 – The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
  • 01/09/2020 – The Pearl by John Steinbeck
  • 01/17/2020 – The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
  • 01/21/2020 – Bob by Wendy Mass

blog · life · q&a

Sunshine Blogger Award

MichelleLeave a comment

About Sunshine Blogger Award:
It is given to those who are creative, positive and inspiring while spreading sunshine to the blogging community.

As a small-time-blogger, it’s always nice when someone opens up an award or quiz to their readers. I feel that it helps to build the community and make people feel welcome. As such, I will say “Thank you!” and continue NothingButKnit‘s example… if you are reading this then consider yourself nominated!

Rules are simple:
a. Nominate 11 people and notify them via comment.
b. Ask them new 11 questions.
c. Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
d. Display the award logo on your blog post.
e. Answer the 11 questions asked

  1. Dog or cat? Dogs.
  2. What is your least favorite food that other people love? Hot dogs.
  3. Where on Earth would you like to go but you know you never will? Why do you want to go there? Why will you not? Korea. The culture is very interesting to me, but I don’t have a travel buddy interested in going, so I probably won’t make it.
  4. What is your favorite household chore? Why? Make me love it too because I detest all of them. Vacuuming! I love driving that sucker (ha, sucker ;P) around and watching stuff get picked up and off my floors and baseboards and windowsills. Good times.
  5. Your house is on fire. All living creatures will get out safely but you can only grab one sentimental item. What do you grab and why? The stuffed horse I’ve had since I was tiny. I plan to pass it on to the next generation.
  6. Would you rather eat a slug or a spider? Ewww, neither.
  7. Do you prefer houseplants or cut flowers? Houseplants since flowers are a migraine trigger for me.
  8. What is the absolute hardest thing you have ever had to do for another person? Say goodbye.
  9. What was your favorite food as a child? Spaghetti?
  10. Be honest, do you exercise as much as you should? No, but that was mostly because I worked night shift for so long and had absolutely zero energy for working out. Now that I’m back on days, I can already tell that I’m more active, have more energy, and am moving more.
  11. Have you ever met someone and you felt like you knew them? Did the relationship continue and did the feeling continue? Once or twice, yes. I am very good friends with one of them and am currently in a long-distance relationship with another.

And, without further ado, here are my questions for you:

  1. If you had the world’s attention for 30 seconds, what would you say?
  2. What is the last book you read?
  3. Chocolate or vanilla ice cream?
  4. What is your favorite vacation spot?
  5. What is your favorite season?
  6. What is a skill you posses that you are proud of?
  7. Have you ever done something dangerous just because it was fun? What was it?
  8. If you could say one thing to the person you miss the most, what would it be?
  9. Do you recycle? Why or why not?
  10. When is the last time you visited a library?
  11. Did you enjoy these question?

If you decide to participate, please leave a link in the comments below so others can see your answers and play along. Looking forward to reading what y’all have to say!

blog · life · q&a

40 Odd Things About Me…

Michelle1 Comment

Alright, so let’s see how ‘odd’ I am. 😀

1. Do you like mustard? Nope, can’t stand it (except in my family’s homemade spaghetti sauce)
2. Choice of carbonated beverage?  Root beer!!!
3. Ever traveled to another country? Yup, I’ve been to both Canada and Ireland.
4. Whiskey, Tequila, Vodka? …where did all the Rum go?
5. Hot dogs or Cheeseburgers? Cheeseburgers.
6. Favorite Type Of food:  Spaghetti
7. Do you believe in ghosts? Nope.
8. What do you drink in the mornings? Coffee or water, if I’m feeling healthy, lol.
9. Can you do a 100 pushups?  Nope.
10. Summer, Winter, Spring, Or Fall? Winter!!!
11. Favorite hobby? Reading (and knitting and video games and travel)
12. Tattoos? Nope.
13. Do you wear glasses? Yep, otherwise I’m totally blind.
14. Phobia? I have a stupid fear of the Xenomorphs from the Alien movies, but I don’t know why.
15. Nickname? Meesh, Shelf, Sly.
16. Three drinks you drink?  Water, coffee, and iced tea
17. Biggest Downfall? Impatience, maybe?
18. Rain or Snow? Snow, all the way.
19. Piercings? 4 ear piercings (1 in the left and 3 in the right)
20. Age? I’m as old as my nose and my two big toes and a little bit older than my teeth.
21. Taken or Single? Taken
22. How long taken or single? About a year now
23. Kids? None
24. Favorite color? Blues, greys, and greens
25. Employed? Full-time
26. Can you whistle? Yes.
27. Where were you born? Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Virginia.
28. Brothers or Sisters? One each, both younger.
29. Ninjas or Pirates? Ah, here is where the rum has gone… Pirates.
30. Surgeries? Yes, I’ve had a frenulectomy, my wisdome teeth removed, and a mole removed for biopsy.
31. Religious? Trying to find my way back.
32. Shower or Bath? Shower and THEN bath 😛
33. Like gambling?  Not really, no.
34. Are you loyal? To a fault.
35. Broken bones? Nope!
36. How many tv’s in your house? Umm, 3?
37. Worst pain ever? Migraines.
38. Do you like to dance? Love it!
39. Are your parents still alive? My mother is, but my father is not.
40. Do you like camping? I like the idea of camping and would very much like to try it out again, now that I’m an adult.

These questions are originally from, Stitchedroots, via NothingButKnit.

If you’ve enjoyed reading this post, feel free to join. Please, leave a comment so we can read your answers and share in the fun!