I went back to look at my posts from each month this year. Wow. I really slipped in October. I hadn’t been doing much reading, but I did manage to get to finishing book 89/100, so I’m not doing too bad.
I did find that I have several posts started, and just not published. So, that will be on this week’s agenda. Now that I’m done with midterms and I’m well into my final paper for two classes, I have a little bit of time. Time to play catch up!
Thankfully, I got an early start on my reading goal of this year. I am currently ahead of schedule with my reading, but it’s because I started out strong.
When I got sick earlier this year, I didn’t feel like reading at all. That’s how everyone knew I was really sick. All I wanted to do was sleep and hope that I could breathe again.
I hadn’t really gotten back on track before we shut down and then I was so overwhelmed that I just didn’t feel like reading. I know a lot of people felt the same way.
I recently started reading again, so I’m feeling better about it. It looks like I might reach my goal this year. With more than six months left, I have only 30% of the books to finish. As always, this is just a goal for me. No competing, no stressing.
I met my goal of 100 books, but I had already changed it to 120 books. I still have over two months to get those last twenty books read, so I think I’ll make it.
My original annual goal was 75. Then I read 36 children’s books over the year. I am 3 books away from my adjusted goal of 100 books. With those 36 books added to my original goal, I should be reading 111 books to make 75 real books. So, I am adjusting my goal to 120. I still have three months, so why not?
At the last meetup group meeting, I asked what the members would like to do for upcoming events. Several were mentioned that required more than just an hour or two on a weeknight. So I thought about what weekend days might be available. Labor day was perfect. I put up a poll, got one response, so I made the final decision to go to the zoo. We were to meet at the carousel at 10:15.
I left to catch the train. I ran into a neighbor with two big dogs who were intent on meeting me. They were so friendly and wanted to join me, but I told them that dogs aren’t allowed on the train or in the zoo.
I continued on and saw a man coming out of his house with pants the same color green as the house. I decided to not say anything.
As I was walking to the zoo entrance, a man pushing a stroller started singing Beast of Burden. I asked if he was going for the zoo theme and thanked him for the giggle.I got to hear a couple argue about who forgot the baby’s sweater. It brought back memories of when my kids were small.I went to the meeting location, and no one showed up, as expected. I got another chuckle as a small child told his dad he wanted to pet the choo choo.
I am wondering what this is. Maybe part of the old Fleishacker’s pool?
I had no idea that the zoo is 90 years old.
The translation of the zooetta stone.
They finally enclosed the flamingos. I was always nervous about small children falling in.
I made a video of the fairy gardens.
I still haven’t figured out who Eugene Friend is.
I had to watch the carousel rotate.
They have posted the schedule and map instead of using paper ones. Wonderful!
Watching the Grizzlies eat.
They were cleaning the pool when I arrived.
The anteater never made an appearance.
I talked to the zookeeper for the wolverines. She told me to go watch the fishing cat. I took a video of it hunting, but the video didn’t process.
I did catch feeding time for the otters, though.
I got to the otter enclosure as they were being fed.I went to sit near the penguin enclose enclosure to wait for my children. They brought me a zoo key.We stopped to eat lunch before they saw any animals.
My lunch was a Thai noodle bowl. Not much flavor.
From here on out, the photos are jumbled.
We spent a long time watching the lemurs playing and lounging.
I remember getting fish to feed to the sea lions when I was a child.
There’s always a Darwin awards sign somewhere.
More lemur photos.
I got my zoo key and I need a manicure.
No rhino in sight.
That’s a hippo, under water.
The last Doggie Diner head.
I was surprised to find chickens in the yard of a zoo neighbor.
It was a fun exhausting day. I made 12,000 steps on my fitbit without trying very hard.
I have been working my way through my annual book goal. I actually met my original goal of 75 books. I read short books during pride week, so I felt that I didn’t really get there.
I adjusted my goal, but it still shows that I’m 12 books ahead of schedule. I am still reading, and I am sure that I can get to my goal of 100 by the end of the year.
According to my Goodreads account, I have completed 60 of my 75 books for my annual goal. I went and counted and I have read 15 children’s books so far this year. I wasn’t expecting to read that many when I set the goal. Adding the 15 to my originally planned 75 books would make the count 90, so I’ll be changing the goal to 100. It shows that I am 24 books ahead, so I’ll be ok, I think.
Changing the goal to 100 makes me only 12 books ahead of schedule. Still well above where I thought I’d be.
I am currently charging my swimming mp3 player. My towels and swimsuit are drying. I sync’d my Garmin watch to the app, so it’s empty. I have most of my change of clothes packed. Once I put the clothes, towels and music into the swimming bag, I’ll be all set. Except, I forgot soap in my shower bag. One day, I’ll get to the gym with everything I need. Today wasn’t that day. Maybe it’ll be tomorrow?
This morning, I finished book 38 of my annual goal of 75 books. I am 7 books ahead of schedule. It gives me a little wiggle room to fall behind a bit, but I think I am doing ok. Between my own challenges, ARC reading for authors, and bookclubs, I am staying on track with most of my deadlines. I may have to change my goal if I get close to finishing before anticipated.
Today’s goal was to hit the gym. I wanted to swim, but I was just too blah when I got there. I had to change the billing card on the membership, so I had to go. I ended up on the treadmill for a short while, trying to catch up on my fitbit steps. I stayed on the treadmill until my foot started to hurt. I didn’t even make it a half a mile on the darn thing, but I met my goal. I went to the gym. Baby steps. I also got some of my audiobook, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, done. I have about 4 hours left in it, and it’s due back on Wednesday. Hopefully, I’ll make it. The bookclub for that one isn’t until mid-July, so I can afford a little time on the waiting list, again.
My other goal was to find my shower bag for the gym, so I can actually swim before work. Found it!
I was supposed to go to the pharmacy and to the post office, too. I only made it to the post office. I forgot about the pharmacy. Hopefully, I’ll make it tomorrow, or one of my kids will.
My swim bag is packed for tomorrow, except for socks. Best laid plans…
The garbage, recycling, and compost are out. We only had one minor incident there, involving a man walking by and ogling my daughter. The dogs took offense, and the man went off screaming. They are just noisy dogs. The guy didn’t know they are big chickens and their barks are worse than their bites. At least the dogs keep it interesting around here.
