Books
In August, I read 8 books. My favorite was What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo and my least favorite was All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay. Some other stats:
- 88% fiction, 12% nonfiction
- 3 print, 3 e-books, 2 audiobooks
- 3.8 average star rating
- 25% diverse
- Abandoned books: 2 (The Duchess by Sophie Jordan and Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun)
Act Like It by Lucy Parker (print, owned) ★★★★★ | What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma by Stephanie Foo (print, owned) ★★★★★ | Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe (audiobook, Spotify) ★★★★☆ | All That Is Mine I Carry With Me by William Landay (print, library) ★★★☆☆ | His & Hers by Alice Feeney (audiobook, library) ★★★★☆ | An Island Princess Starts a Scandal by Adriana Herrera (e-book, library) ★★★☆☆ | I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith (e-book, owned) ★★★☆☆ | The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue (e-book, library) ★★★★☆
Media
- Big Brother – We have been blessed with such a great season of Big Brother, and I am enjoying this cast so much even if I don’t really have a favorite right now.
- The Circle, season 4 – The best part of this season of The Circle was when two of the Spice Girls were playing as a catfish and then the other players found out and had to figure out which of their fellow contestants might be playing as the Spice Girls. Iconic!
- Master Chef, season 13 – Another super fun season of Master Chef. This time, they chose five home cooks from each region of the U.S., which was an interesting way to break up the teams. My favorite home chef didn’t win, but it was a great season overall.
- Billie Eilish, Hit Me Hard and Soft – I listened to this album in August to try to get back on track for my music listening goal! I didn’t love this album (the breathy style of singing isn’t my favorite), but there were a few winners here, specifically Lunch, Chihiro, and L’Amour De Ma Vie.
- The Crossbow Killer – This BBC-produced true crime miniseries came out a while ago, but I like to keep a bunch of these miniseries in my back pocket when I need something to listen to. This is about a man in Wales who is killed by a crossbow one night while he’s at home. It’s a weird weapon and a weird murder, and I really enjoyed the way this story was told. Plus, you can’t go wrong with all of those Welsh accents!
Buying
- Sport headbands ($15 for a three-pack) – I have very fine hair, which makes wearing headbands of any sort difficult when my hair is up. They just always slip off my head, which is the opposite of what I need. I was looking for headbands that would a) stay put and b) keep sweat from pouring down my face during workouts, and I think I found a winner with these headbands! They come with non-slip velvet sewn into fabric and an adjustable back to keep everything in place. It does slip a tiny bit during a workout but not as much as other headbands do.
- Back brace ($45) – I’ve mentioned this back brace already and it has been such a gamechanger for my HIIT classes. Before I had the back brace, my back would start hurting doing the simplest moves, like squats, but now I can get through an entire class without my back aching. (Bonus: This back brace is FSA/HSA eligible!)
- Clear organizing bins ($6-$8 per bin) – I love these clear bins from Target. They are stackable and affordable and I purchased 11 of them last month. OOPS. But now I have a much better organized bathroom closet and I am very pleased about that.
Moments
I kicked off August with a really fun evening with my book club. We went out for Mexican food and then came back to a friend’s house to make custom picture frames. We had all given my friend the book club picture we wanted framed and she had printed them up for us. What a beautiful keepsake. Looking at my frame and this photo makes me super happy.
This is what happens when I go to a library “just to look.” The stack of books on the right are library books that I plucked from the “New Books” section. And then the stack on the left are the books I found from the library’s bookstore. I only paid $14 for that stack, four of which are like-new hardcover books! It was a successful library trip, is what I’m saying.
A gratuitous selfie but I was feeling myself, okay?! I took this right before I went to a going-away party for my boss who left the company in mid-August. To say I’ve been devastated is an understatement because my boss was so much more than that. She was a friend, a mentor, and someone I felt fully comfortable with both on a personal and professional level. While I know we will continue our friendship after this, it’s been an adjustment for sure. The party itself was fun, though! I stayed for five hours, got to snuggle my boss’s baby, and really enjoyed chatting with coworkers I only know virtually these days.
Not trying to brag but… my family held our annual fantasy football draft in August and ESPN gave me an A for my excellent picks. Thank you, ESPN. I’ll use this as bragging rights even as I lose every game.
I already talked all about my first experience coloring my hair at home. I’m so happy with how it turned out and I’m even happier that I’m going to save myself so much money by not going to the salon for color every 2-3 months.
One of our former book club members who moved away a decade ago just moved back to town, which has been such a delight! We had dinner with her to catch up and it was a really good time. And I got to indulge in my favorite pizza and cheesy bread, so I was one happy camper.
I was on dog-sitting duties for Chip and Lucy this month. While it’s hard to be away from my girls when I’m dog-sitting, these doggos make it all okay! They are just so easy to hang out with. We did a lot of cuddling while reading and cuddling while watching TV. There were lots of time spent outside (well, we went outside a lot but didn’t stay outside for very long because it’s just so hot) and games of fetch played with Chip. We had a good time together!
I did a little apartment hunting in August, and it was soul-crushing quite honestly. Apartments are so expensive, you guys. Most of the places I looked at are around $2,000 for a two-bedroom apartment, and it’s not that much cheaper for a one-bedroom. In the end, I’ve decided that I’m going to stay for one more year in my current place. I went into my leasing office last week to inquire about my lease renewal. At first, I was told that my rent would be increasing $100 a month, which was my threshold—I told myself if my rent increased by $100 or more, I would move out. So I told them that I wasn’t going to renew and then left the office. They stopped me outside the office to tell me that they could work something out! In the end, I somehow negotiated (a term I use very loosely, as I did nothing to warrant this change of heart) a $50 per month increase, which is much more doable for my budget. So the new plan is to stay for one more year and start to gradually increase how much money I am putting into savings so when I do move out and do have a much more expensive rent to manage, it will feel less burdensome. (Plus, all that money will help to pay for moving expenses + new stuff for the new place when the time comes!)
The most exciting part of my month! (I am such a cool person, I know.) My CPAP machine finally arrived and while it’s been a massive adjustment to figure out how to sleep with this thing, I already feel a difference in my energy levels and the way I feel. A full recap of my first week using the machine will be coming next week!
Tell me a highlight of August for you!
I’m so glad the CPAP is working out for you. I know SO many people with apnea and for most of them, getting a machine is life-changing.
That picture frame is lovely and such a great idea.
I actually really enjoyed All That Is Mine I Carry With Me and didn’t make it through What My Bones Know (not because of the content, but I just ended up with other books on my TBR stack that were more compelling), but I really want to try to read it again because I think it would be helpful for me in terms of some of my own trauma.
I know nothing about football, but it ESPN gives you an A, I think you’re off to a great start!!!
What My Bones Know was a slow read for me, simply because it was very heavy and I wanted to take my time with her words. I hope you’re able to pick it up again!
CPAP life has been transformative!
I am so happy for you that the machine is working already!!
I honestly didn’t expect to feel such a difference SO quickly. It’s been amazing!
I love how your book club frame is pages from a book! Are they printed copies or from an actual book?
Please more selfies of you, beautiful! I am so sad about your boss. I hope the new person in that role is awesome.
Good work on your negotiation! Telling them you are not going to renew IS a negotiation tactic!
August highlight was going to the Fly-In in Iowa (and Steven getting his license). And seeing my friends at the beginning of the month. So much happened in August!
They are from an actual book! I brought some old copies of books and did a lot of ripping and cutting. 🙂
You had a big month! Lots of great things!
Yay for knocking the rent increase down to just $50. Hopefully prices will have cooled off by next year when you’re ready to move.
And heck yes to gratuitous selfies when you just happen to be looking gorgeous!
Rental prices are out of control. And my rent right now is SO cheap comparatively that it’s hard to fathom leaving.
<3 <3
Yay for you for getting your rent increase knocked down. And to go from being so upset to coming out with a win… That must have felt amazing.
I love seeing peeks of your book shelf next to your book club photo. Are those books that you own? I feel like every time I read your posts, I make notes for my TBR.
I think my August highlight was my mom and aunt’s visit.
Yes, those are all books I own! And that’s my “favorites” bookshelf so they’re all books I HIGHLY recommend. 🙂
Ooh, I can’t wait to hear your report on the CPAP!
Nice haul from the library! I’m very curious about that Clinton/Penny book. I saw it at the bookstore yesterday but didn’t get it- now I’m wishing I had.
Yes, I believe that rents are ridiculous- you and I both live in areas where the cost of living is insanely high. Nice job “negotiating” your rent increase!
Mahomes and KC! Tonight! Woohoo!!!
I’ve heard good things about the Clinton/Penny book, so when it was just a few dollars for the hardcover, it was an easy choice to pick it up!
Rent is so insane. It’s disheartening.
I also have fine hair and was never really able to find a headband that worked for me. I usually just wear a hat now, and that is also a reason why I don’t have bangs!!
I enjoyed What My Bones Know and I see that you also gave high ratings to the Alice Feeny book. I think I have that on hold and am looking forward to reading it. I also love your library haul, and used to love browsing for new books. Sadly I don’t have the space for them now but am enjoying living vicariously through you!!
The Alice Feeney was more of a 3.5 star read for me – there is some really upsetting subject matter in the book so I found it difficult to get through. But I was surprised by the ending!
Maybe you and I need to go into business to make a headband that STAYS for us fine-haired girlies! Haha.
I have said it before and I’ll say it again: you really rock that bold red lip!
Nice library haul! I don’t think mine has a book sale, but I should keep my eye out.
Yay for the CPAP! Bring on the better sleep!
Thank you! I love a nice bold lip every once in a while.
My usual library doesn’t have one either, but this one has a nice little spot, which was a great discovery.
Look at you, Ms Stephany “Business Negotiator”! I’m sure it’s a lot cheaper for them to keep you than to have find a new renter! Great job!
I am looking forward to your CPAP story and how that’s going. It seems like a lot of people complain about theirs, so I’m curious how much of a pain it is.
Ohh, interesting! Everyone has told me how much everyone they know who uses a CPAP loves it – do you know people who complain about their CPAP all the time?
Follow me for more negotiating tactics! 😉
I’ve been so curious about how the APAP is working so I am glad to hear you are already hearing a difference. I am sure it is a big adjustment, though!!
Wow, I’m floored that you got that stack of books for $14!!! That is a steal as they do look very new! I would have guessed they were all new! Nice work!
I’m so sorry about your boss leaving. I can so relate. When Paul left, it was the height of the banking crisis so I was totally numb since I was doing 30+ calls/week for multiple weeks and we had update calls on the weekend and gah – I was so tired and stressed out. I still see him 1-2 times/month and I text him whenever something comes up since he totally understands my role and the team dynamics. I hope you end up liking your new boss. Change is so hard!! Although I will say that I changed jobs 9 years ago because I joined the company Paul joined that he left for when we previously worked together. So your paths might cross again! You never know!
It’s been an adjustment but mostly I have seen SUCH a difference in my energy levels so it makes me so happy!
I definitely believe Sara will be a lifelong friend of mine – she was such a big inspiration to me and now I’m excited to begin a NEW phase of our relationship. 🙂
Ugh, rent is so expensive (but I wish there were nicer two-bedrooms for $2000 around here. No chance.) I am glad you got $50 knocked off that increase, so at least you can justify staying in your current apartment and aggressively save for the next 12 months. Good luck that you’ll find something that will work for you then.
I am sorry your boss/friend left. I know how that can you throw off. I switched research groups two years ago and I still don’t feel 100% comfortable with my new group/supervisor.
Gah, I’m sure $2000 for a two-bedroom apartment would feel like a STEAL in California. Housing is just so expensive, ughhh.
The housing costs are crazy!! Our property taxes had gone up so we will pay more this year for living in the same house. The house ages and the taxes go up. Shouldn’t it be the other way around? lol I don’t even know…
Highlight for August was our trip to Italy which lasted two weeks. I miss that place so much. The food, the people, the beach, just slower pace overall.
My mom has been dealing with the same issue with property taxes, insurance, and all that. It does make me less inclined to be a homeowner, ha. It’s just crazy everywhere!
I am always so afraid to get my lease renewal. I anticipate it’s going to go up 10% and then decide if I can still live here. So far, so good. Fingers crossed.
Love the hair! And the pic! When you look good, you share! <3
Can't wait til I get to the CPAP post!!!