Monday, January 23, 2017

Monday Musings

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puppy collage

My week: It was a pretty good week for me! Because of the holiday I had five days off work in a row, and we went to the beach twice. Aaaaand... we got a puppy!

If you read my Monday Musings post last week, you'll know we were pretty devastated about a boxer mix we'd had our eye on at the humane society who got adopted the moment he was available, before we even had the chance to get there. Boxers are kinda rare here in Hawaii (small dogs are much more popular), so it was rather serendipitous when, a couple days later, a litter of boxer puppies went up for sale! We chose a puppy nicknamed Alohi (Hawaiian for "brilliant") and we'll be picking her up the first week in February! She is pretty much the cutest little thing ever, and I think our beloved Conan would approve. Now comes the fun part of preparing for her arrival and picking out a name!

Reading: I finished the fascinating memoir "Hillbilly Elegy" by J.D. Vance (review), then blew through the upcoming sci-fi-ish release "All Our Wrong Todays," about a technologically utopian version of 2016, a time travel mishap and a protagonist who finds his way into our version of 2016. I didn't know what on earth to expect going in, but I thoroughly enjoyed it (and I recommend it for anyone who liked "Dark Matter"). Now I'm reading the ubiquitous "The Mothers" by Brit Bennett, and I'm sad to say that so far I'm not enjoying it quite as much as everyone else seemed to.


Knitting: One of these days I'm finally going to start that damn Hufflepuff scarf!

Watching: This week we finally got around to watching some movies, "The Legend of Tarzan" and "The Magnificent Seven." I thought they were both ok. "Seven" got pretty violent there toward the end, and I zoned out a bit during "Tarzan." But I do have to say, I miss Eric from "True Blood" and Alexander Skarsgard is looking even sexier these days! Those shirtless scenes sure kept my attention. ;) We also watched "The Secret Life of Pets," which was hilarious and adorable.

Listening to: "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran.


Blogging:
Monday Musings
12 Underrated/Overrated Books I've Read Recently
Yarn Along: Newt's Hufflepuff Scarf and "All Our Wrong Todays"
I Judge Books By Their Covers: The Comet Seekers
Memoir Review: Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance

Looking forward to: We had been planning to go to the Big Island over President's Day weekend, but we won't be going anywhere for a little while with our new addition. So we're going to squeeze in a quick trip before we pick her up! Right now there's lava flowing into the ocean and we're going to take a boat tour to see it. That didn't happen the entire time we lived here before and we don't want to miss it! It seems to be a whole different experience from viewing flowing lava on land. So in the next couple weeks, you can expect lots of talk about puppies and lava!

*I'm linking up with Kathryn of Book Date for It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

13 comments:

  1. These look like some great reads. I hope you enjoy reading this week!

    My It's Monday! What Are You Reading? post.

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  2. What a fun surprise! Your new puppy is adorable! It's interesting that most people opt for smaller dogs there; I can see how, with limited space, that would make sense but I know so many people who cram their large dogs into apartments, etc., and make it work - ha! My husband really wants to watch The Magnificent Seven; thanks for the heads-up and I'll be sure to have some reading material available if it gets too boring/disgusting. :) I loved Hillbilly Elegy; currently reading Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty in advance of the new HBO series that is based on the book. Hope you have a great week! - Tara @ itstaraleigh.com

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    1. There are definitely some larger dogs here (and the humane society sure has plenty of pitbulls) but I think a lot of people go for littler dogs like Frenchies, dachshunds and the like. Not us, though -- we're big dog people!

      I was hoping to read "Big Little Lies" before the show, but I don't think it's going to happen. I've enjoyed the other Liane Moriarty books I've read, so I'm fully expecting to love the show. And, though I have no idea how it lines up with the book, I'm excited about the casting!

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  3. She is gorgeous and I can't wait to see what you name her. I'm excited to read all about your puppy adventures. I've had puppy fever for some time (although with 2 at home now it will be a while) but I keep telling Cassius one day he will be a big brother as well as a little brother. I started "A Perilous Undertaking" last night and am 18% in. I never realized how much I missed Stoker until I started reading again. In fact, Stoker might just be the name of a future pup in our home!

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    1. Stoker is a super cute name for a boxer! And I'm glad you're enjoying the book -- I'm so excited that it's finally out!

      I'm sure we'll have plenty of puppy adventures -- and misadventures! I haven't had a puppy since I was in first grade (we got Conan when he was 11 months) so it will definitely be a big life change!

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  4. Your puppy is darling! It's always fun adding a new member to the family. I loved Hillbilly Elegy and The Mothers, but not every book is for every person. We all connect to things in different ways.

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    1. Thanks, Susie! We're so excited to be puppy parents! :)

      I finished "The Mothers" today and, despite really wanting to like it, it just wasn't my favorite. It managed to hit several of my personal pet peeves (though I did like the author's writing style).

      I really enjoyed "Hillbilly Elegy." I finished it several days ago and I'm still thinking about it and telling my husband about things I read.

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  5. ENJOY your books and reading week.

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My It's Monday, What Are You Reading

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  6. Congrats on your new dog! I hope The Mothers gets better for you and you enjoy all of your reading this week. :)

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    1. Thank you so much, Lindsey! I'll definitely be posting plenty of pictures.

      I finished "The Mothers" today and found it to be just ok... I was bummed because I had hoped to love it as much as everyone else, but it just didn't happen for me. Oh well, not every book is for every person!

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  7. The puppy is adorable! (Which, what a stupid thing to say - is any puppy *not* adorable?) Boxers are an especially cute breed though :)

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    1. Isn't she, though? And I mean, yes, all puppies are adorable. But some breeds might just be slightly more adorable than others. ;)

      P.S. While I was browsing puppy books at work, I came across "Pit Bull"! Even though I TOTALLY do not have room in my reading queue for it, I couldn't resist checking it out.

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  8. What a gorgeous sunset picture from the beach!!

    A new puppy!!! How exciting!!! SO CUTE too. Love the name!

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