Sunday Post 120

Hi everyone!

Through Monday, I am linking with the following: 

Reading Reality, who hosts Stacking the Shelves

Readerbuzz, who hosts Sunday Salon

Caffeinated Reviewer, who hosts Sunday Post

The Book Date, who hosts It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

On the above blogs you will be able to see links to the posts from others who are participating in those blog hops, and if you're a blogger, you can join too. 

Well, my two week Sunday Post streak ended with a thud. Let's just say a lot has been happening in my world and something had to go on the back burner. As much as I love connecting with all of you, I just couldn't keep up with blogging. There have been many days recently when I haven't even turned my computer on. I'm cautiously optimistic that much has improved and I can try to get back on track with blogging and with other things that I've been neglecting over the past few months.

I do have an update on physical therapy, which I've been doing since August to address frozen shoulder. The pain has most definitely decreased to the point where most of the time it doesn't hurt unless I try to stretch my arm beyond where it wants to go. The severity of the pain has also significantly decreased.

Unfortunately, my last monthly evaluation showed that the range of motion in that arm has actually gotten worse.  The plan was to start going to PT every other week rather than once a week, but since it's worse I'm going to keep going once a week for the next month, then re-evaluate. I'm also doing the stretches and strengthening exercises at home. I'm pretty sure I know why the range of motion got worse and I'm determined to do what I can to make it better.

I will say that I absolutely love going to PT. I've worked with most therapists there at some point (even though I have a primary one) and I love all of them. When I do eventually stop going, I'm sure I will miss seeing them. It's also very convenient that the location is just a minute's drive up the road from where I live.

Something that I have not mentioned before is that I've also been seeing a psychotherapist since April. I started the process of looking for one last summer (2024) when I had extreme anxiety, but it took me until April of this year to finally find one who participates with my insurance and who I feel comfortable with. We had started meeting only online, but eventually switched to meeting in person most of the time. I see her once a week most weeks. Occasionally, I have seen her twice a week, but that is rare.  Her office is within walking distance of where I live (I can't believe it took me so long to find her!), so weather permitting, I can get some exercise and fresh air on my way to those appointments. Although I don't have the high level of anxiety I had in the summer of 2024, it's still been helpful having her as part of of my support system. Honestly, I didn't realize how valuable she would be to me until I started meeting with her. I'm thankful for the person who suggested I start seeing a psychotherapist.

One thing I have kept up with is reading. I set a goal at the beginning of the year to read at least one chapter each day (not including listening to audiobooks, which I also have been doing). So far so good. Most days it's only been one chapter, but it's kept me moving forward. 

IN THE BOOKS

RECENTLY FINISHED

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Last month, I listened to Thanksgiving Turkey Tragedy, a novella written by Leighann Dobbs and narrated by Hollis McCarthy. This was a fun little cozy mystery that I enjoyed Thanksgiving week. The beginning was really cute with part of the story being told from the point of view of turkeys.

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I finished Poison and Prejudice (Rare Books Mystery 3), by Daphne Silver. I'm planning to publish my review next week, but for now I will say I loved it! I think this series just keeps getting better with each installment. This one is set around Rosh Hashana, which is rare for a cozy mystery.

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I finished The Puzzler: One Man's Quest to Solve the Most Baffling Puzzles Ever, from Crosswords to Jigsaws to the Meaning of Life, by A. J. Jacobs! I started this book in January and read it little by little throughout the year. I want to publish a review next month, as January is National Puzzle Month. For now, I'll say that minus the occasional swearing, I loved it! I highly recommend it if you enjoy puzzles.

IN PROGRESS

I started listening to A Cross-Country Christmas, written by Courtney Walsh and narrated by Reba Buhr and Will Collyer. I seem to either love books by Courtney Walsh or think they are just okay. So far, this one is just okay. It's an easy-going story, which is fine, but I'm having a hard time connecting with the main characters. They seem younger to me than they are in the story. I'm almost done, so I'll finish it.

UP NEXT

I had planned on reading something else next, but this book is due back to the library soon, so I'll read  Public Anchovy #1 (Deep Dish Mystery 3), by Mindy Quigley. I enjoyed the first two in this series, so I'm excited to read this one.

ON THE SCREEN

• A Christmas Murder Mystery - This is a cozy mystery that recently aired on UPtv. It's nothing ground-breaking, but it's quirky and fun. The amateur sleuth is very different than most we see in cozy mysteries. It was a well-crafted mystery, but lacked the Christmas feels (which is odd considering "Christmas" is in the title).
• Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale - If you are a fan of the series, this final movie is a must-see! I think it's by far the best of the three movies. They did an incredible job wrapping up the series, even though I'd love to see more. But it was a satisfying ending. I loved how paid tribute to characters (and the actress Maggie Smith) lost along the way. 
• The Twelve Dates of Christmas - This is a limited 6-episode Hallmark series. The final two episodes aired on Friday, but I've only watched the first four so far. It's based on a book that I likely will not read because I've heard that it has swearing in it. I am enjoying the movie adaptation, though. The production value is great and the acting is top notch.  I especially love Mae Whitman as the main character. If you're a fan of Friends, you might remember the little girl who played the girl scout who was selling cookies. Ross caused her to have an injury, so he had to make it up to her. Anyway, Mae Whitman played the little girl in that episode. She is also the voice of Tinker Bell in the Disney Fairies franchise.
• So many Hallmark movies! - I won't list them all, but let's just say, I've been watching a lot of Hallmark Christmas movies. I've rewatched some older favorites, watched some older ones for the first time, and I've watched a few new ones, all of which I enjoyed. The four new ones I watched are 'Oy to the World, Christmas at the Catnip Cafe, Merry Christmas, Ted Cooper!, and Three Wisest Men. Three Wisest Men is my favorite in that trilogy, but my favorite of these four new movies is Merry Christmas, Ted Cooper! It's so funny!! I am planning to watch it again.

ON THE BLOG

• Sunday Post - 11/22 - Weekly Recap
• Golden Gratitude - L through P
• Spotlight - 12/10 - Holidays and Homicide: A Short Story Collection, by multiple authors

Happy Hanukkah Merry Christmas, and Happy Kwanzaa to all who celebrate! And if you don't observe anything at this time of year, I hope you have a great week! (Religiously, I don't celebrate anything at this time of year. However, I do enjoy the spirit of the season, so I celebrate in that way.)