On the Third Quarter of 2026
Yes, yes, it’s been a while. I’ve been busy! There’s been a lot going on and you get a double post today to make up for it. Yay! Let’s check in on my to-do list.
Read 30 books - This is actually DONE! The Book List for the year is below, but I got really busy reading during our week-long trip to Lancaster this past summer. I’m currently reading book #34 for the year, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, recommended to me by my coworker Cara. It’s actually enthralling, but it’s taking be a bit to get through because work has been non-stop for about a month.
Visit a new state or NHP - Not yet, but still not for a lack of advocating. There’s been so much going on that I haven’t had time for far away travel, though we did spend the aforementioned week in Lancaster and we just spent a long weekend in the mountains. BUT we are making plans to go to Niagara Falls! We were thinking of going this fall, but I’d like us to get our passports so we can visit the Canada side when we go! Also we have upcoming plans to go to Atlantic City and Hershey!
Spend more time with family - DONE We’ve had weekly dinners with Brian’s dad and brother, I’ve been having somewhat regular lunches with my Aunt Rita and Mom, and we just spent part of the weekend with my brother Drew and his girlfriend Nary. I’d still like to keep up with this and I’m pleased that we have.
Catalog all the board games - and see how close we are to 100 - This actually partially happened! I’m still not done the catalog because I’m hesitant to count the stack on my dresser for now. I’ll actually be re-homing them shortly, since we’re currently in possession of some of Dan’s games, and he’ll be taking them back soon, so I’ll have a shelf or two free… But as of right now we’re in possession of over 73 board games! Not shocked! Still not crossing this off until I’ve fulfilled the full inventory, but it’s mostly done.
Finish the D&D campaign I started - Okay, so if past me had foreseen a 6 month hiatus, she would’ve never put it on the list. D&D is hard enough to schedule with so many people but finishing the campaign? Cute. But we’re making progress. We have the next session coming up soon (session 15) and I’ve written all obsession 16 and part of session 17. We’re currently in 3 D&D campaigns, we’ve bought an egregious amount of minis just for the fun, and we’ve been painting regularly! If things keep going according to plan, we’ll be done within the next 6 months.
Bake more often - Again, cute, but no. My mom has been baking more though! Maybe once the weather cools, she and I will do some baking.
Do something for Dad - It’s been almost three years, but maybe I’m actually making progress on this. Brian recently started tracking his exercise through a service that lets you work toward a reward and it helps plant trees. I might do this in honor of Dad. It’s not enough, but it’s a start.
The last three months have been busy. Summer was nonstop at work, the breaks were too short and simultaneously too busy, and I’ve gotten back to work with even more to do. I said today for the first time ever that it’s starting to feel like I’ve bitten off more than I can chew. I’m regaining the joy at my job, because I thrive on chaos, but I can’t help but feel that some people should be more independent (and clinically competant). I’m still working pretty hard with the union leadership, still wishing my compensation at work was higher, and I’ll soon be making my first student loan payment! It’s a lot. So still, really, really, I only hope to win the lottery. And yes I have been playing… Anyway, here’s that book list I promised:
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (1/1/26 - 2/3/26; 5/5 Stars)
Twelve Months by Jim Butcher (2/3/26 - 2/15/26; 5 Stars)
The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys by Gerard Way (2/16/26; 3 Stars)
The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys: National Anthem by Gerard Way (2/17/26; 2 Stars)
All Bones Considered: 52 Laurel Hill Women by Joe Lex (2/20/26 - 4/9/26; 4 Stars)
Roll for Romance by Lenora Woods (4/9/26 - 4/19/26; 4 Stars)
Komi Can’t Communicate (Volume 36) by Tomohito Oda (4/20/26 - 4/21/26; 5 Stars)
Komi Can’t Communicate (Volume 37) by Tomohito Oda (4/21/26; 5 Stars)
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn (4/22/26 - 5/7/26; 4 Stars)
The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn (5/8/26 - 5/24/26; 5 Stars)
An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn (5/24/26 - 5/31/26; 5 Stars)
Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn (6/1/26 - 6/16/26; 5 Stars)
Yotsuba&! (Volume 16) by Kiyohiko Azuma (6/17/26; 5 Stars)
City of Echoes by Judy Lin (6/18/26 - 6/22/26; 5 Stars)
If Cats Disappeared From the World by Genki Kawamura (6/22/26 - 6/24/26; 4 Stars)
A Sign of Affection 1 by suu Morishita (6/24/26; 5 Stars)
A Sign of Affection 2 by suu Morishita (6/24/26; 5 Stars)
A Sign of Affection 3 by suu Morishita (6/25/26; 5 Stars)
A Sign of Affection 4 by suu Morishita (6/27/26; 5 Stars)
A Sign of Affection 5 by suu Morishita (6/27/26; 5 Stars)
A Sign of Affection 6 by suu Morishita (6/29/26; 5 Stars)
A Sign of Affection 7 by suu Morishita (6/29/26 - 6/30/26; 5 Stars)
A Sign of Affection 8 by suu Morishita (6/30/26; 5 Stars)
A Sign of Affection 9 by suu Morishita (6/30/26 - 7/1/26; 5 Stars)
A Sign of Affection 10 by suu Morishita (7/3/26; 5 Stars)
A Sign of Affection 11 by suu Morishita (7/3/26; 5 Stars)
A Sign of Affection 12 by suu Morishita (7/3/26; 5 Stars)
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett (7/5/26 - 8/2/26; 4 Stars)
The Secret, Book & Scone Society by Ellery Adams (8/2/26 - 8/3/26; 5 Stars)
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby (8/3/26; 4 Stars)
Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree (8/3/26 - 8/6/26; 4 Stars)
Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree (8/6/26 - 8/22/26; 4 Stars)
Kya and the Secret of the Sand by Kiku Hughes (8/22/26; 3 Stars)
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (8/22/26 - PRESENT)