February

oh, hello, I would first just like to draw everyone's attention to the fact that I am blogging ON TIME. please hold your applause and continue reading.
For being the shortest month, February certainly felt long! The library got even smaller with the addition of another (thankfully, the last!) temporary wall. I took a quick trip to Denton to visit Mandy over President's Day. And I've been working through some really bad allergies for the past week now that Spring is actually coming! But onto the things I did!

For February:
Something I read: Becoming by Michelle Obama. I'd been on the waiting list even before the book arrived at the library, so I was eagerly anticipating the arrival of this one! It was perfect timing at the beginning of the month since I am going with friends to hear her speak in Austin tonight (the 28th)!
Y'all. It's so good. I just love her so much. I actually read it kind of slowly, because her story is so much to take in and I wanted to savor it. This probably sounds cliche, but it was so real and honest and humanizing, yet inspiring at the same time. There were times it made me so sad I just had to quit and take a break, because I miss the Obamas' public presence so much. But there were also times -- many more times -- when her passion for the work she did and the initiatives she started jumped off the page and brought me so much joy. Get it from your local bookstore or library and read it!!!

Something I watched/listened to: I'm going to cheat a little bit and do both for this one because I couldn't choose!
watched: Season 3 of One Day at a Time on Netflix. I watched the first and second seasons because Mandy recommended the show to me, and I thought it was alright. Then I read this article extolling the virtues of the third season and y'all -- it's not wrong. I LOVED it. They have found their footing and I enjoyed it so much. I mostly just really love shows where kids act like kids and parents act like parents, and I think the family dynamic in One Day at a Time is truly wonderful.
listened to: The Friendship Episode of Truth's Table. I started listening to this podcast when it first came out and I lived in Austin and loved it from day one! I didn't listen regularly in Dallas, though, so I've recently been working my way through Season 2 on my commute. Y'all, take 35 minutes and listen to this episode. I was inspired both by the fact that Ekemini, Michelle, and Christine became friends as adults, and by the active steps they take to preserve and invest in their friendship. I've listened to it more than once! (also while you're at it just subscribe and listen to all the episodes...)

Something I cooked: I believe this is technically baking, but I made some delicious banana bread this month! I also made blueberry muffins twice, and both times they grew mold by day 5, so that was kind of a bust. They were good the first few days though, and made quick easy breakfasts when I was rushed before work! (also if anyone knows something I could do to make these last longer --besides freezing them -- please hit me up because having them in an airtight container is not cutting it!)

Something I did (at home): I scrapbooked! I am almost ten years behind in my scrapbooks, but it's a hobby I love and just don't usually make time for. My friend Megan suggested it, so we got together with our friend Maggie for a day of crafting. It was a total joy -- and I got a lot of pages done! I'm inspired to keep it up now that I have more time for hobbies, so maybe I can actually get less years behind...

Something I did (at work): Did I tell y'all I'm on a task force?


via GIPHY
It's actually just a fancy name for me and two other librarians meeting to discuss problems related our rapid growth and write new policies and procedures to fix those problems. It can be time-consuming and cause a bit of a headache, but after about six weeks we finally solved some of our problems! We instituted our new policy and procedures for when library materials are overdue, damaged, missing, or returned incomplete, and so far it seems to be working! It sounds tedious and nerdy to care about policy, but I'm very proud of the flowchart I contributed, so. My coworkers also love the flowchart, which I think means I'm definitely working with the right people.

Something I want to do next month: Okay so I didn't read any of my own books. I just... keep putting things on hold. I'm trying not to! I think I have three library books out now? Somehow only one less than this time last month, though I've read five books this month.... so: the same goal! I'm feeling more confident for March!

January

I'm trying a new thing.

I'm a little late to start, but if I wait to start until the end of February I'll forget again! For those who have been following for awhile, in 2017 I tracked all of the books I read and then blogged about them every month. I didn't do that in 2018 for a variety of reasons, and I'm not going to start again! (sorry if that's a letdown). But here's the deal: I do a lot more than read. I still track what books I read every month, but I also spend time with family, do puzzles, listen to podcasts, meal prep, and take my dog to the park. And work (I have a real grown-up job now). But I miss writing, and I like having a record of things I've done (it helps mark progress when I think I haven't gone anywhere), and sometimes people ask what I'm reading. So, each month I'll tell you a few things: Something I read, Something I watched/listened to, Something I cooked, Something I did (at home), Something I did (at work), and Something I want to do next month. We'll see how it goes!

For January:

Something I read: The Library Book (finally)! Hailed by Booklist as "a riveting mix of true crime, history, biography, and immersion journalism," Susan Orlean's book tells the story of the 1986 Los Angeles Central Library fire, which ruined or damaged more than one million volumes. But it also tells the story of the Los Angeles Public Library, its librarians, its city, its resilience, and its future. I'd add "love letter to libraries" to its "riveting mix." Of course, I heartily recommend this book!

Something I watched/listened to: I'm not sure who hasn't tried at least one episode of Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix yet, but I definitely watched the whole series. And then I read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, and now I think I need to Marie Kondo my house. 

Something I cooked: y'all, I made grits in my rice cooker and let me tell you.... LIFE. CHANGING.

Something I did (at home): I spent time with friends! I had friends stay with me over New Year's, I have college friends that live in San Antonio who I've been blessed to spend time with, and my good friend Jenna took a break from med school to visit me last weekend!

Something I did (at work): I got the attendance at one of my programs back up to its starting numbers! I have a homework/reading/outdoor club that meets once a week after school, and we regularly had 20 of our 25 registered kids coming for the first six weeks. After Thanksgiving those numbers dropped and our first week back in January we only had about 10 kids. So, I found all their registrations forms, practiced the very little Spanish that I know, and called all their parents -- we've had 18-21 kids for the last three weeks of the month! Even though it was time-consuming and a little embarrassing on my end to stumble through "la clase de biblioteca esta comenzando nueva esta semana," it had very obvious and positive results so I know it was worth it and am so glad I decided to just sit down and do it!

Something I want to do next month: I really want to read my own books this year, y'all. I know only reading my own books is impossible, but I had the idea to do a 1:1 plan. As in, read one book from the library, one I own, one library book, one bookshelf book. This way, I can still take home a cool new book once in awhile, still place a hold on something really popular, or read something I'm really in the mood for but don't own, while still making a dent in my home TBR pile. Here's the thing, though: I have no self-control when it comes to library holds, and I'm really bad at timing when they'll come in. For example, today at work I had two holds come in, and then this afternoon I got an email that an eBook I've been waiting on since before Christmas is now ready. And because those are time-sensitive I HAVE to read them NOW. And this is what always happens!! BUT. I have STOPPED placing holds (for now). So they should be slowing down (assuming I continue to have an iron will). My goal for February is to get all the books I currently have checked out from the public library (four? I think?) read and returned so I can start reading one of my own books! You (and I) would think that with 26 days this is more than possible... we shall see!