February 2019 Reading Bingo Challenge

February 2019 Reading Bingo Challenge

 How did January go? Life just seems to keep piling up, but reading continues to provide some balance to the chaos.

Just like January, February has two different versions of the challenge. On the board, there's an option for a blind date with a book. Several libraries have programs where they wrap up books and leave a detailed explanation of the book on the front. You pick one and take it home to read. A few book stores do it as well. If neither of those options are available to you, grab a friend, and trade your favorite books with each other.

Things around here have been quiet since C is in the throws of busy season, but things are still jam-packed with things to do to prep for the arrival of baby #2.

Where did you end off with last month's book challenge? Share your favorites below!

January Reading Round Up

I completely failed this month at keeping up with the challenge. I did finish

 

I reread books constantly. I've read Harry Potter more times than I can count. It's always been a problem with some people though. People used to complain about it to me all the time in high school. Now my husband just laughs because I get so into the books and my reactions are funny I guess.

I did start Throne of Glass based on a friend's recommendation. There's no way I'm finishing by the end of today, but I figure I'll add my next read on here too.

I spent two weeks visiting my parents in Chicago, so I wasn't too busy to read. I just got distracted by a new website/app I found.

I had seen a lot of ads for Lore Olympus and thought I'd check to see if the app really cost something like the comments said or if you could read for free. Once I realized it was, I got hooked on several comics. The first nine are ones I subscribed to regularly and the bottom ones are ones I was just investigating. I binge read them but hit a wall once I caught up to where the last updates were. Most update weekly, but some more often than that. What's great is they're all fairly clean (some language and violence).

What are some of your favorite reads from this month? Are you the kind of person who rereads books or is one read through enough for you? Leave your comments below!

2018 Book Challenge and 2019 Reading Bingo

So this year, I had set the goal of reading 50 books over the course of the year. Unfortunately, I got about half way there and had a major set back in the form of:

(image source)

Oathbringer was a great read, but at a massive 1,200+ pages it took a long time to get through. It's a continuation of the Way of Kings series and well worth the read. One of the best things about this book is that it is pretty easy to keep track of everybody and everything going on. I can step away from these books for a few days and come back with no troubles.

But with the new year coming, I have developed a new challenge!

Each month, I'll come out with a new challenge board for both adults and kids. Ideally, at the end of each month I'll write about all the books I read on my own and with my 2 year old.

A few months will have a bonus challenge for anyone who finishes the entire Bingo board. 

This year, I probably will keep my goal on the lower end since I'll be having baby #2 in May! We're in for a new adventure and I am terrified...and excited....and about a million other feelings. I'm hoping to queue enough posts ahead of time in order to keep the challenge going for everyone. 

As per usual, I'm going to be using Goodreads to keep track of all my reading. I'm not quite sure yet if I will do one for my little one. If I do, I'll share it here. 

From now on, I'll publish the Reading Bingo boards first day of the month and the last day of the month will be the review of what I've read. I look forward to hearing how everyone's reading goes! 

Feeling Fake: Continuing to Hold a Box of Kleenex and Other Updates

Empathy to Help Others
Back 4 months ago, I had hoped to write a series of posts about anxiety and depression and supporting those with it. But I didn't. How can I write about something that I don't have set myself? Why try? So I floundered for a while. I've wanted to write, but haven't gotten to a place where I could. Until now.

(source)

The idea of empathy has been weighing down on me a lot over the last few months. The idea for "How to Hold a Box of Kleenex" was promising originally, but to be honest, it isn't as complex as you may think. So here is (probably) the final addition to the series. 

If you want to be there for a friend who is dealing with anxiety and depression, be empathetic. 

I feel like the video above summarizing words from this TED talk is perfect in describing empathy. My favorite line is "empathy is feeling with people." Sympathy and empathy can both go a long way to helping everyone. I also agree that empathy is a choice, BUT it is something that we all need to practice and work to develop. It takes practice!

There are many ways to improve on empathy, but I found this site that has some of the best suggestions. 

1. Challenge yourself
2. Get out of your usual environment
3. Get feedback
4. Explore the heart, not just the head (aka READ)
5. Take a walk in another's shoes
6. Take an interest in others

It will take time and work, but working on being empathetic will help in all areas of your life. 

Other Things to Come

I'm going to make it my goal to post once a week (minimum) on this blog. The next few posts:

This game I made for Primary this past Sunday.

Teachers Pay Teachers

Exercise to beat anxiety/depression

How to Hold a Box of Kleenex: The Power of Reaching Out to Others

My first few years in Relief Society were some of the most depressing, anxiety-filled of my life. Relief Society with church is a women's organization. Women ages 18 and older meet Sundays during the third hour of church. Many lessons revolved around bettering ourselves, our roles as women,  or the occasional church history lesson. I often felt very alone and isolated. I would try to talk to other sisters, but it was a struggle because I either wouldn't connect with them or I would be ignored completely. I would sit next to others and they would get up and move.

I had gotten to the point where I would walk out during lessons and cry. During one particular lesson on unity, everyone was talking about how united they felt with the ward and the other sisters and how easy it was. I raised my hand and asked, "How can other sisters feel more united with the ward? I know for me, even though I come to events and do visiting teaching, I feel pretty alone."

I waited out the silence a while until someone said:

"If you were really doing everything you're supposed to, your relationship with God would be enough. You don't need to have friends if you're really doing what's right."

I waited a few minutes and then I walked out. I was done. I was hoping for an empathetic ear, a solution, an idea of what to do to be accepted. Instead, I got a lovely slap in the face. Could there have been good intentions there? Probably. I don't believe people to be deliberately mean, but it still was painful.

Source

Now, this wasn't quite the hardest moment for me or the only one. There had been situations like this over the course of a few years. By the time we were moving, my resentment of Relief Society had been cemented. But part of me was still hopeful. I knew (still know) the importance of the Relief Society. I wanted to love Relief Society...or at least not hate it.

Now I am still wary of Relief Society, but things began to turn around once we moved out to California for C's new job.

Soon after we moved into our new ward, the other ladies in the ward began to reach out to me. My visiting teacher talked to me and paid attention. She didn't spend the whole visit looking for something I missed doing around the house so she could sweep in and take care of it. We had a real conversation. I began finding friends in this new group of ladies. I began to cautiously enjoy going to church again.

What changed? People began reaching out to me. Not out of obligation, but because they chose to. I was accepted.

Source

So how does this relate to anxiety and depression?

I can't speak for everyone and I am not a professional, but I know that for me when people reach out and talk to me it can really help. The fact that someone took the time to say hi and ask how things are going is very meaningful. When people reach out, I feel more human. I feel like I belong and that feeling can carry me through some tricky times. We all need to know that we matter...that we belong somewhere...that we have a purpose.

Never suppress the idea to do an act of kindness. You may never know how much that one small act can affect that person or the ones that person comes in contact with. An act of kindness is almost always paid forward in one way or another.

To finish, here is a list of things that you could do to reach out to someone in your life. If you're like me and get nervous at this sort of thing, invite a buddy to do it with you. Or come up with a reward for doing one of the following ideas. The more that you do something, the easier it gets.

1. Send a text saying hi
2. Send out an email
3. Make a phone call
4. Leave them a fun treat on their doorstep or on their desk
5. Invite them to lunch (food is always a great idea!)
6. Go to the park with them
7. Invite someone over for game night
8. Throw a party and invite them
9. Hold a movie night and invite them
10. Sit with them during church or a meeting or a class
11. Talk and Listen openly
12. Share when you are having a hard time (this helps make them more comfortable with 
              sharing their own struggles)
13. Give a hug  (with permission)
14. Write a note or letter and send it in the mail
15. Share a funny joke, story, or meme
16. Laugh together
17. Recommend a book, movie, or tv show and talk about it later
18. Share a favorite song
19. Send them a favorite quote or scripture
20. Bring them dinner

These 20 ideas just barely scratch the surface. They range in terms of cost (time and monetary) and difficulty. Your challenge is to do one of the following and share what you did in the comments. Add in how the action goes. I look forward to reading about them!

If you have other ideas on how to reach out, share them below too.

Anxiety and Depression: My First Stake Conference Talk

Recently, I was asked to give a talk at our stake conference. Stake conference is when several groups (we call "wards") get together and we have a big meeting where several people speak. I never thought that I would get asked to speak. I was asked to speak on a topic that I received an impression on. My struggle with anxiety and depression kept coming to mind, so I focused on that. A friend of me also sent a link to a blog post entitled Drowning is Quiet by Sincerely Kate that helped me shape the focus of the talk that I gave. I thought I would share my talk below and talk about the aftermath.

When I was much younger, my mom signed me up for swim lessons just as many parents do for their children. During one such lesson, the substitute teacher had me doing laps in the deeper end of the pool. I was the only kid from my class there that day, so I had plenty of space. I began swimming along. I believed enough time had passed for me to have made it to the wall, so I reached for the wall. To my surprise, my hand fell through the air and I went under. I attempted to tread water like we had been taught, but it was a struggle. I went under the water several times while I tried to get to safety. I struggled for what felt like ages when I finally made it to a spot where I could grab on. The instructor finally noticed something was amiss and came over. I told him what had happened and he became frustrated with me. He asked me why I didn’t save myself. I told him I had tried. I had tried shouting for help, but he hadn’t heard me. Nobody had heard me.

Drowning is quiet. It can happen to anyone. But there is another type of drowning that can affect us or our loved ones. According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, one in five adults will battle mental illness in a given year. Whether it’s now or in the future, chances are many of us will come face to face with mental illness, through our personal experience or through a close loved one.
This kind of drowning is also quiet. It is hard to spot. For many, it is hard to believe. We may see someone smiling, saying everything is fine, and think nothing of it.

Picture Source

In some aspects, they may be fine; however, they may be fighting to keep their head above water. He or she may be too busy fighting, trying to keep going, to stop and ask for help.
Others may be completely upfront about it.

For many years, I have lived with anxiety and depression. I usually keep it to myself and bottle it away. I’ve heard people say things like “you’re fine”, “I don’t feel that way, so neither should you”, “you just want attention”, or one of the more hurtful, “if you were really doing what you’re supposed to, you wouldn’t feel that way.” So I stopped talking about it. I stopped looking for help. I thought of it as just a “me” problem that had to be dealt with quietly.

I’ve come to learn this is the wrong way to deal with anxiety and depression. I still bottle up my anxiety and depression, but thanks to my husband, a professional counselor, and a couple close friends, I’ve started learning to stop staying quiet. To look for help when it comes. To seek help from others. To seek comfort from our Heavenly Father, especially at the worst of times.
One of the worst lies we tell ourselves, that I am guilty of, is that Heavenly Father doesn’t care about us. However, we know we are children of our Heavenly Father and He loves us, imperfections and all.

In Alma 7: 11-12 we read,
11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

The Savior has experienced pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind. This includes mental illness. This includes physical illness. We all have someone in our corner who has felt what we’ve felt. Who understands how horrible and isolating it can feel. We are never truly alone.

A writer for LDSLivng wrote, “ It's so comforting to learn that many can receive healing from their mental illnesses or disorders through the Lord's tender mercies. But, there are also many who bear these burdens their entire life. It is also important to note that, regardless of your pain and challenges, your Heavenly Father loves you with an infinite love and depression has no bearing on your worthiness. His love and the Savior's Atonement can bring peace and lessen the burdens of your troubles. They can provide a deeper spiritual healing that will bring you the strength needed to endure your trials.”

"...Regardless of your pain and challenges, your Heavenly Father loves you with an infinite love and depression has no bearing on your worthiness. His love and the Savior's Atonement can bring peace and lessen the burdens of your troubles. They can provide a deeper spiritual healing that will bring you the strength needed to endure your trials."

So where do we go from here?

For those of you who suffer from depression, anxiety, or any other feelings of drowning, I ask that you do your best to make a sound. Talk. Say something. Speak up because it isn’t always easy to see. I speak from experience that it is way easier said than done and it’s not the natural first response, but I can also say that there is nothing wrong with letting people who love you, help you and I promise you there are people that love you no matter what you believe.

For everyone, be alert. Keep your ears, eyes, and heart open. Be a friend. Listen to those impressions/thoughts, etc that you may have to reach out. Empathy can go a lot farther than harsh words.

In Mosiah 18: 8-9 we read:
8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life

We have been asked to bear one another’s burdens. To comfort each other. To mourn with each other. Sometimes even just being there can be an aide. We have been taught to love one another.

To that end, I pose this question: “If we saw someone who is drowning, wouldn’t we do anything we could to help rescue that person? Pulling a victim from the water saves a body; assisting an individual to overcome mental or emotional obstacles helps save a soul.”

After this talk, several people shared similar feelings with me. If you find yourself struggling with anxiety, depression, or any other mental illness, know that you are not alone.

After the end of the conference, one lady shared with me that she received the impression that I should write about what others could do to help those dealing with these kinds of things. I gave it some thought and decided that I would follow through. For the next few weeks, I have a series planned to go into this. I must add that I am not a professional and I continue to struggle with anxiety and depression on a daily basis; however, I will share what helps me. I hope that others will share their experiences here too. The comments are open for sharing! What are your experiences with mental health? What has helped you in the past?

Make Your Bed, Finding Audrey, and Fantastic Beasts: 2018 Reading Challenge

I love using OverDrive. When I was younger, I was judgmental of ebooks and audiobooks; however, I have since grown up and love using both. When I work or exercise, I get tired of listening to TV shows, so audiobooks are great for shaking things up. You can listen to them on your computer or on your phone if you have the app.

The first book of the year from OverDrive was Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I thought initially that I was going to be listening to the screenplay that had come out, but this was the textbook that was written. Surprisingly, I loved it. It did help that the guy who plays Newt in the movie was doing the reading and he was super into it. If you need something light, funny, and fast,  this book is perfect.

The second audiobook was Finding Audrey. I normally don't read realistic fiction books, but I was intrigued and downloaded it. This was immensely enjoyable. It is a glimpse into Audrey's life and her family, while she learns to live with her anxiety and depression. I've struggled with anxiety and depression for years and have started down the path to try and live better and not just survive with it. The story does avoid talking about what started Audrey's journey, which can get frustrating, but more real in a way. She is still trying to get better, so it is understandable that she wouldn't want to talk about it yet.

This book was recommended to me by my mom. She read it for a book club and she really enjoyed it. It's an expansion of a speech given at the University of Texas by Admiral William H. McRaven. He goes over different principles that he learned while serving in the Navy SEALS. His points are:
                1. Start your day with a task completed
                2. You can't go it alone
                3. Only the size of your heart matters
                4. Life's not fair, drive on!
                5. Failure can make you stronger
                6. You must dare greatly
                7. Stand up to bullies
                8. Rise up to the occasion
                9. Give people hope
               10. Never, ever quit!
It's a quick read and pretty interesting. Definitely a good book while you're waiting for the doctor or on a short flight.

What are some of your favorite audiobooks or inspirational stories that you've read?

The Way of Kings: 2018 Reading Challenge

I finally finished this 1200 page behemoth...

This is officially the longest book that I have ever read. It took so long, but I am proud of myself for finishing.

Goodreads Preview
From Goodreads: "Roshar is a world of stone and storms. Uncanny tempests of incredible power sweep across the rocky terrain so frequently that they have shaped ecology and civilization alike. Animals hide in shells, trees pull in branches, and grass retracts into the soilless ground. Cities are built only where the topography offers shelter.

It has been centuries since the fall of the ten consecrated orders known as the Knights Radiant, but their Shardblades and Shardplate remain: mystical swords and suits of armor that transform ordinary men into near-invincible warriors. Men trade kingdoms for Shardblades. Wars were fought for them and won by them.

One such war rages on a ruined landscape called the Shattered Plains. There, Kaladin, who traded his medical apprenticeship for a spear to protect his little brother, has been reduced to slavery. In a war that makes no sense, where ten armies fight separately against a single foe, he struggles to save his men and to fathom the leaders who consider them expendable.

Brightlord Dalinar Kholin commands one of those other armies. Like his brother, the late king, he is fascinated by an ancient text called The Way of Kings. Troubled by over-powering visions of ancient times and the Knights Radiant, he has begun to doubt his own sanity.

Across the ocean, an untried young woman named Shallan seeks to train under an eminent scholar and notorious heretic, Dalinar's niece, Jasnah. Though she genuinely loves learning, Shallan's motives are less than pure. As she plans a daring theft, her research for Jasnah hints at secrets of the Knights Radiant and the true cause of the war."

My Thoughts
I'm glad that I've read other stories by Brandon Sanderson before reading this one. It would've been harder to keep up with this one if I hadn't read and enjoyed others. Before reading this one, consider reading other books by this author first.

The only thing I always enjoy was the jumping between characters. There are several characters that get a section of the story and I found myself getting frustrated with the changes because I would want to keep reading about the character. Also, a few of the characters were seen for about a chapter and then not seen again. Why give them that much focus if you aren't going to use them? However, the book is well written enough that if I put the book down for a few days, I could start up again and not forget what was going on (my problem with the Wheel of Time). For me, I can't always read every day so it's important that I don't have to restart multiple times.

There was a lot to enjoy with this story. The scenery is colorful and easy to picture. The characters a varied and interesting. There are even female characters that are exciting to follow. Usually, with books like this, the girls are a bit of a letdown. I didn't particularly like Shallan, but my husband has read the next book and is reading the most recent story and he has said that she gets way better.

Kaladin and Dalinar are probably my top favorite characters so far. Their development is amazing, but they still have their struggles. I love the final scene with Kaladin and Dalinar the best.

What books have you read so far this year?

2018 Reading Challenge Level 3 and 2017 in review

Like many, I can't believe that this year is almost over. It didn't really hit me until I looked over my Goodreads challenge books in review. I didn't quite make the level 3 challenge of last year because I kept getting distracted by other books that I want to read. However, I still have one for the upcoming year. This level has 50 books and two separate versions.

This list can keep even the most book hungry person occupied throughout the year.

With the file size, I have to break it down into separate lists instead of everything on the same list.

How did the challenge go for people this past year? Any favorites I should stick on my radar?

Many of these were re-reads and some were for work.

Worth listening to on audiobook: Percy Jackson and the Olympians
I've read this before with my students and enjoyed it. I get tired of listening to Netflix while I work, so this was a very nice change.

Worth multiple reads: Mistborn Trilogy 1 and 2
The first set of books are on the long side, but they are pretty fun to read and definitely a step up from the usual YA novels floating around. If anything, read part 1 to be able to read Wax's and Wayne's adventures. Steris is reason enough alone to read those books. I haven't related to a character quite that much before.

Worth checking out: The Lunar Chronicles & The Heart of Deception books
All the books in this series are great for at least one read through, except for Fairest. This novella is more than worth skipping and I regret reading it. I can summarize it with this:

Worth skipping...kind of: Caraval
This book was a letdown. The idea of the sisters going into a magical game was intriguing, but the execution fell flat. However, it was good enough that I'd be willing to read the sequel when it comes out.

My list seems to be growing by the day of books to read. I have a couple cued up to finish at the beginning of the new year and have several that I may try. Is Wheel of Time worth the investment? I've tried a couple times, but the book requires an astounding amount of focus that I can't quite give to a book.

Hoping to hear about your year of reading!

2018 Reading Challenge: Level 2 Jogging

I can't believe how crazy life has gotten the last several months. It's been a brutal whirlwind most days. I am hoping that Christmas will be a much-needed break for everyone.

Here is level 2 of the 2018 Reading Challenge. You can start at any level or try to read through all of the levels. Has anyone managed that for 2017?

I've found reading challenges tricky to keep up with, but they are a fun thought. My problem is that I get sidetracked. What are some tips for people who get distracted by other books than ones that fit these lists?

Sometime next week, I will be posting the final level of the challenge. What's a good amount of books for the last level?

Still working through The Way of Kings here, but I also started reading a book my mom recommending called "Make Your Bed." I'll be posting here as soon as I finish, so stay tuned!

2018 Reading Challenge: Walking and Christmas Decimal Multiplication and Division

Last year's reading challenge seemed to be very popular! I am going to hold off on reviewing the year as a whole since we still have a few weeks ahead of us. However, I do want to begin introducing the new challenge.

I like having the kids' options too on these challenges. Parents, grandparents, or whoever can choose to read with a kid in their lives or have their kids do the challenge and go against them trying to see who finishes first. There are a number of ways to use these.

I will continue to use Goodreads to track what I have been reading. If you'd like to continue book discussions or see what I am reading before I post here, add me here (I think).

Next week, I will post about level 2 for this year!

Teachers Pay Teachers
I continue to be amazed by the growth I am seeing on Teachers Pay Teachers. Not only is it fun to do, but I love seeing feedback on how much students have been enjoying the pages.

I semi-recently finished a set of decimal multiplication and division pages that I am quite proud of. These puzzles help keep math review fun instead of repeated practice and problems.

If anyone on here is ever interested in a free sample, shoot me a message and I'll send you a page with the answer key. Consider it a blog-reader only special!

2018 LDS Primary Planning Pages, Christmas Multiplication and Division , and Reading Challenge Update

Primary Presidency Planner
Life has been a bit of a kick in the pants lately. I was called as primary president about 2 months ago and we are still getting things in order. I think once the program is out of the way, I'll be able to rest a bit easier.

I've been on the hunt for a primary planning binder for my presidency and me to use, but I haven't found any that I particularly love. There are some super cute ones on Etsy, but they just don't seem like ones I'd really use. So, I've taken bits and pieces from free planners that I liked and have been working on building my own.

I want to be sure that we keep the scripture for the month in mind, so I made sure to include it a few times throughout the pages.

I found a pretty similar idea here at Little LDS Ideas and modified it a bit so that it is more my style.

I also have a basic notes page with spaces to track presidency goals, important dates, and other things that you may want to keep track of.

This is still a work in progress. I am hoping to have it ready for our kick off in January. I'm pretty excited to use it.

What are some of your favorite ways to stay organized as a presidency? If you are interested in having the binder pages, email me at ashtonsmith026@gmail.com and I'll happily send what I've got!

A TPT Christmas

I've been getting a lot of great feedback from teachers that have purchased my mystery picture activities. Seeing the feedback is pretty encouraging and I'm glad to be providing something that is useful to teachers that students enjoy.

When I've taught in the past, I always had a handful of students that struggled with mastering their multiplication and division facts. The only way I could get them to learn them was to have some sort of practice every day in a variety of ways. For the holidays, I have put together a pack of Christmas sheets for multiplication and division practice, plus two sheets that combine both multiplication and division.

What are other ways you incorporate multiplication and division into your classroom?

2017 Reading Challenge: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
I really wish I liked this book more. I've seen Fangirl recommended on a bunch of Pinterest boards and finally gave in to picking it. Full disclosure, I listened to the audiobook since I haven't been able to hit the library. Also, I'm not going to hide any spoilers so if you continue, you've been warned.

What I liked:
I liked the overall premise of the book. Cath is a fanfiction writer about to start college. She is introverted and deals with anxiety. The story is about her navigating college, family, and friends. I've been reading a lot of dystopian fantasy lately, so this was a nice change.

The characters and their relationships were interesting for the most part. Cath and Wren's complicated relationship kept me hoping that they would patch things up. Reagan's and Levi's interactions with Cath were also fun to read. Both are nice to Cath and help her to open up more. Cath's and Wren's relationship with their father was also a draw for me.

The scenes with the fiction professor were also enjoyable. I like that she didn't just favor Cath, but made her work for her grades. I also appreciated that she gives Cath a second chance with the final project when Cath doesn't turn it in during finals week.

What I hated:
I absolutely hated the descriptions of Levi and Nick. Nick sounded like he needed a good pluck job on his eyebrows. Levi's description made me think of this:

but with a badly receding hairline. Whenever their looks were brought up, I wasn't convinced that Cath liked either of them.

Simon Snow was dumb and did nothing for the plot. The sections of fan fiction that we got were pointless. Also, if it was supposed to be the book version of Harry Potter, why does Harry Potter exist in that universe too? Makes no sense.

This book had absolutely no plot. It was just Cath being thrown into situations and having her react to those situations.

This book doesn't really show what it means to be part of a fandom. It was just Cath and her fans. The book doesn't show the community behind it. I had trouble believing the series was as big as the book made it seem. All we see is Cath.

I also couldn't stand Cath's character development. She is a bit winy at different parts of the book and she was too stuck on fanfiction. Seriously, if your professor gives you a second chance on a project, you take it. Who would be like, no way I am meant to write fanfiction and I do it better than the actual author, anyway? You can't make money off fan fiction. You can't have a real career out of fanfiction.

In the end, this book deserved 2 1/2 stars from me.

2018 Reading Challenge
In the next several weeks, I'll be posting a 2018 Reading Challenge and an overall review of the books I've read this past year. Keep an eye out!

Murder on the Orient Express Review and Thanksgiving Multiplication and Division Mystery Pics

There has been a lot going on lately, which everyone will probably be hearing about in later posts. Baby A and I got back from visiting my parents in Chicago. While we were there, I went with my mom and sister to see the new version of Murder on the Orient Express (my dad babysat).

About six months ago, my mom introduced C and me to Hercule Poirot and Murder on the Orient Express as done by David Suchet. I found it slow but intriguing. I was hooked on the character and the series. When I heard they were remaking the movie, I was ecstatic. The cast was interesting and I enjoyed the first, so why not this one?

My biggest shock was that Hercule Poirot....

is also....

Gilderoy Lockhart.

I didn't actually know until my mom and sister were talking about it afterward. He's aged pretty well!.

I should warn that I did fall asleep for a few minutes during the movie. In defense of the movie, I have not had a good night's sleep in years and it has been worse due to my anxiety with my new church calling. The theater was also switching between super hot and icy cold. I fell asleep during the warm part.

The soundtrack of the movie was well done. I feel like it fit and blended with each scene nicely. It stuck out just enough to add more to the scene, but it wasn't overbearing.

The overall cast performance was great! I should warn that you shouldn't compare this against past versions of the movie. Each edition should be enjoyed separately and on their own merits. It's like trying to compare an apple, an orange, and a banana. All 3 are great fruits, but they aren't truly the same thing and should be enjoyed for what they have.

I really liked the one David Suchet version. He is a phenomenal Poirot and does fit the image I had in my head as I read the book.

I really enjoyed Kenneth Branagh's performance too. I felt like more of Poirot's sense of humor came through. I also liked seeing Poirot's love of food come through. With Suchet's Poirot, you knew about the interest in food, but you didn't always see it. With Branagh's performance, I felt like some of the smaller things about Poirot came through nicely.

In the end, is the movie worth seeing? I'd say yes and I would definitely add this movie to our ever-growing movie collection.

Is it worth seeing in the movie theater? It's hard for me to say for sure. I do enjoy the movie theater experience, but I also like being able to watch from home. It's nice to be able to pause the movie if we need to, eat dinner while we watch, etc.

Does this movie deserve the scores it has been getting? Not at all! This is a very well done movie and worth the watch. People have become desensitized from all of the destruction and sex-laden films. This is a show great for anyone.

What are your thoughts on Murder on the Orient Express? Share them below.

Teachers Pay Teachers: Thanksgiving Edition

I've been developing more math coloring worksheets for my TPT store. I've been getting a lot of great feedback from teachers and the pages seem to be helping, which is wonderful. It's not worth it to make and post these sheets if they don't add to instruction.

Check it out here!

I am excited about my new design for my higher level math sheets. I think it makes it easier to make them and I think they are easier to solve.

What are some of your favorite things to do in class during Thanksgiving? Share below!

Choices and Consequences, Holiday Adding and Subtracting within 10, and books!

Primary: 5th Sunday Edition
Being the 5th Sunday, and our first 5th Sunday in Primary, my counselor and I decided that we would play a game that my mom has used many a time. I'm not sure where she got it from (knowing my mom, she came up with it), so if you know where please share below!

I forgot to take pictures of the board that I had made, so here is the picture of the one my mom made. For the board I made, I made 5 pockets so that we could store the choice cards.

The choice cards are just CTR shields with the choices on the back. Some choices:
1. You stole money from a friend and bought candy.
2. Your mom asked you to help her and you helped her right away.
3. Your brother was being a pest so you pushed him.
4. Your friends wanted to play on Sunday, but you didn't and told them that you can play with them a different day.

The game rules with an introduction and a conclusion. We also gave out stickers for good choices and then candy at the end in honor of Halloween.

In order to make the game a bit more engaging, we added options for doing the consequences with a friend/sibling or with your whole class. Some consequences were pages from the Friend and LDS coloring book. Others were things like do jumping jacks until the quote is ended or putting together a puzzle of a church figure (like Captain Moroni).

Overall, it seemed to be a success! We had investigator kids and they told the missionaries that they want to come back next week (win).

Here are a few of the pages that I printed out for the challenges.

What are some of your favorite 5th Sunday activities?

TPT
What's one of my posts without a section about Teachers Pay Teachers?

I am heading to Chicago with Baby A this coming weekend, so I wanted to make sure I got a few things up before leaving (in case I decide to slack). All three of them are adding and subtracting within 10. I'll just share one at a time so I can spread the love.

I tried making these Thanksgiving-themed puzzles and it was hard! I use Photoshop Elements to make most of the images that I use. Overall, I think I did a fairly decent job. I am pretty excited about them 😀

Multiplication and division are up next on the docket, get ready. It is crazy to think how fast this year has gone by. Find Adding and Subtraction within 10 here. 

"Caraval" by Stephanie Garber: 2017 Reading Challenge

From Goodreads: Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny island where she and her sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval—the faraway, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show—are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. Nevertheless, she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic. And whether Caraval is real or not, Scarlett must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over or a dangerous domino effect of consequences will be set off, and her beloved sister will disappear forever.

What I Liked:

The idea of Caraval is great! It has sisterly love, romance, magic, and a mysterious game. One sister has to run after the other and win the game before time runs out. The leader of the game could have been a great villain or her father could have been great to string along through more of the story as another villain. I also liked that even though I disliked the author's writing style, characterizations, etc, I still wanted to know how it ended...mainly to know if my predictions were right.

What I Disliked:

The biggest irritation was the author's use of weird descriptions. In the story, the main character sees feelings as colors. For example, she used the term "periwinkle of curiosity." It would have been alright if it was important to the story, but it isn't. It was just odd. 

Another thing that bugged me was that the characters didn't really progress or change outside of a smidgeon at the end. Also, Scarlett claims to be searching for her sister; however, she spends a lot of time worrying about Julian and Dante. She really needed to sort out her priorities. 

In this mysterious and mystifying game, we're also supposed to believe that Scarlett has minimum interactions with the other competitors. She has almost no competition from the beginning! If this was realistic, everyone would be concocting plans and attempt to either take her down or bring her into some sort of alliance. 

The ending was just sort of an exposition dump without any explanation for the magic outside of (basically) I don't know, it just works that way. Are you kidding me?? I mean, I'm all for suspension of belief for a while, but that's too much even for me. 

Will I read the book coming out next year? Probably! I am curious where she will go with the sister's POV and if it'll be better than the first. 

What are your thoughts on the book?