I read more than one hundred books in 2018 and 2019. It’s become my new yearly goal, but in 2020 I blew by that number and hit two hundred (check out my IG account @megan.e.byrd to see all of the books). All of the extra at-home time was conducive to keeping my nose in a book. With that many books under my belt in 2020, it’s going to be a challenge to pick the best, so I cheated a little. Below you’ll find my top six of fiction and nonfiction along with some additional honorable mention.
[Read more…] about Best Reads of 2020Uncategorized
Share Four Somethings: April 2020
We’ve now spent over a month in quarantine here in our home. I am quite grateful for the basement and that my kids have done so well with the transition to virtual learning. We have managed to find a decent weekday routine to keep us sane and on-track. I am glad to have the opportunity to think about the good things from this past month. Read on for a few of my favorite things.
Something Loved
I have been trying to make exercise part of my weekday routine so I put on my exercise gear when I wake up to help motivate me to get it in. This means I’ve been living in yoga pants most of the time. My favorite pair (left) is from Gap but they’ve changed their yoga pant styles since I bought them. They do still have awesome racerback tanks that I love to exercise in (I own five in various colors). This past winter I found a second pair (right) I love at Belk by the brand Zelos. Comfy yoga pants are keeping me happy and in shape while I’m stuck at home. Do you have a favorite brand of yoga pants? What is keeping you going right now?
Something Read
This year I’m trying to read more books on my actual shelf. This month I picked up the only other fiction book about reading I own that I haven’t yet read, The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman. I loved it! The protagonist has grown up an only child with an absent mother but enjoys her tidy, scheduled life comprised of work at a book store, book clubs, trivia nights, and her cat Phil. When she learns that her (previously unknown) father has died and left her with siblings and extended family, she has to determine whether they can fit into her structured life along with the handsome (but probably poorly-read) guy on an opposing trivia team. A very entertaining and enjoyable read that will have you adding TBRs to your Goodreads account. For info on the 14 other books I’ve finished so far this month, head over to my IG account @meganbyrdreads. Has your reading gone up while staying at home? Finished anything good?
Something Treasured
As you may or may not be aware, I have been working on my first novel. I have been editing it and trying to get it into a polished form to submit to potential agents. I have thoroughly enjoyed the story but worried that others may not find it as entertaining. I sent a draft off to two trusted people in hopes of receiving some feedback to help make it better. My mom was one of those people. When I spoke with her this month, she mentioned that she was almost through the book and, while it wasn’t her favorite genre (contemporary romance), she was enjoying the story. This encouraged me so much and has given me more motivation to getting it to the place where I feel confident sending it out for additional feedback and professional consideration. I treasure my mother for many reasons, but this month it’s especially for her support of my writing (and willingness to read my drafts).
Something Ahead
We really don’t have anything on our calendar in May. It will be more virtual school, time in nature hiking or picnicking, and quality family time. However, next month does contain my birthday so that’s something to look forward to. I’m not anticipating a big celebration, but hope it means having new books show up in my mailbox and some kind messages from friends and family. We’ll find a way to celebrate. Have you or someone in your family had a birthday while we’ve been at home? If so, how was it celebrated?
*****
That’s the recap from our first full month at home. Please share something you’ve treasured from your own experience this past month or so. If you want to read more S4S, head over to HeatherGerwing.com. Consider joining me for next month’s SFS on May 23rd!
Friendships: Part 8
This part of our search for community has gone the best thus far. With our shelter-at-home order from the governor mid-month, we will have to be creative in further developing our current relationships.
02-26-20
I saw R1 at the gym this morning and talked to her a bit since we haven’t seen each other since last Thursday.
I texted K4 to see if the family wanted to come over for dinner on Saturday. She said that they can come. The kids will be excited when we tell them.
02-28-20
I headed to the gym from Life Group. I saw N1 on my way in and we talked for a few minutes. She asked where I’ve been and I said I’ve been writing. I then saw R1. We briefly discussed how far we wanted to get into the book we’re getting ready to read together and said tentatively we’d meet on Tuesday. I also saw J3 and said a quick hi to her. E1 and I texted back and forth this morning.
We went to dinner at a pizza place and I saw a woman who looked familiar. A little while later I realized that it was a woman from the library writing group. I went over and said hi. She was there with another meetup group.
02-29-20
We had the Ls over for dinner. The boys annoyed their older sisters for a while but things eventually calmed down. We ate dinner and then taught E4 and K4 how to play a family card game. They seemed to enjoy it. It was an enjoyable evening.
03-02-20
I texted with R1 and we set up a meeting time for tomorrow.
03-03-20
I met R1 at the Y and we walked over to Mosaic for smoothies and to discuss the first chapter of the new book we’re reading together.
03-06-20
I saw A4 at the library and said hey. She was busy so we didn’t talk long.
While waiting to pick Kaitlyn up from her after school club, I talked with E4 while Jackson and A6 played together. This is probably going to be our new Friday afternoon routine.
03-07-20
I went to the gym this morning. I saw R1 and talked to her for a few minutes. I met K4 upstairs to take the Barre class. N2 was teaching. After class, I talked to K4 and E4 for a bit.
03-08-20
I’ve been texting with K4 about carpooling to Battle of the Books on Wednesday to watch the girls compete.
03-09-20
I volunteered at the book fair at the kids’ school today. I recognized a parent and her daughter who had also volunteered at the fall book fair. N2, C2, and J10 were the PTA members in attendance. I was able to talk to N2 a little more while we volunteered.
03-11-20
I met K4 at the school to ride together to Battle of the Books. We had a mini adventure trying to find the Student Center at UNCA. It was a long day. The kids definitely became fatigued as the day wore on. It was neat to see the process and be prepared if the girls do it again next year. It was also nice to have time in the car to talk more with K4.
I texted R1 to see if she wanted to talk about our book on Monday after the group power class we’re planning to take. She agreed.
03-15-20
Yesterday the governor canceled schools for at least the next two weeks. Hopefully, they will be able to get virtual learning working so the kids have fewer days to make up.
03-17-20
Well, everything’s pretty much been canceled due to the coronavirus – writing group, life groups, the Y, school. We picked up the kids’ school stuff yesterday so they are ready for virtual learning which should start tomorrow.
03-18-20
Kaitlyn Facetimed a GA friend on Monday and C4 yesterday. The kids also talked to their grandparents. My friend canceled her trip up to visit me this weekend. My aunt confirmed her trip cancellation in April. We started virtual learning today. Definitely a learning curve for all of us but I think we’ll get the hang of it. I talked to R1 on the phone so we could finally discuss the next part of the book we’re reading. I downloaded Voxer and will try it with her. This whole thing is definitely challenging our attempts to get to know others in our community.
03-20-20
I’ve been doing a lot of texting. I’m trying to learn how to use Voxer with R1. E1 texted me this morning to see if we could shop together separately by watching each others’ kids from parallel cars. Adam was working from home today so my kids stayed home but we completed the rest of the plan. I met E1 in the parking lot and sat in my car with the window down while her girls sat in their car with the windows down and she went in to shop. When she was done, she left and I did my own grocery shopping. Crazy times.
I received a Marco Polo from an Atlanta friend and texts from family members. Plenty of checking in going on.
03-24-20
Nothing really exciting to report. I’ve been chatting with family and friends via various methods – Facetime, texts, phone calls, Marco Polo, and Voxer.
*****
It’s crazy to think that earlier in the month I was feeling worn out from so much social activity and now I’m wishing I had places to go and people to see. At least my phone is still a lifeline to my friends and family in other parts of the country and world.
Friendship: Part 7
Making connections in our everyday lives has been fairly successful for us thus far. If you’re just tuning into this series for the first time, you may want to start with the first post about making friends in our new city.
01-27-20
The kids and I went to the library this afternoon and I talked with A4 for a little bit. She asked if I was recovering from illness the last time I was in and I was confused for a bit before realizing she meant the day I saw R1 after my dental procedure. It was sweet of her to notice.
R1 and I texted back and forth to figure out our meet up for tomorrow.
01-28-20
R1 and I had to delay our meeting due to a 2-hour school delay. I got the kids on the bus and then went to the gym to exercise. After we both finished, we went to Mosaic for beverages and to talk about the book. We also discussed plans and food for the Super Bowl on Sunday.
01-29-20
When we walked into the restaurant for a church event, we saw one of Adam’s co-workers at the bar so we talked to him for a few minutes.
01-31-20
We went to dinner at Sierra Nevada with Adam’s work team to celebrate one of his employees getting a new position within the company. I met some new people and their wives and kids. It was kind of fun socializing. I found someone to talk books with which helped a lot.
02-01-20
Before Jackson’s game this morning I talked for a while to J9, one of the parents with kids on both basketball teams. They moved up here from Atlanta about the same time that we moved to Atlanta. His wife lived in and around Kansas City growing up (I lived in St. Joseph, about an hour north). We had a decent amount of experiential overlap which made for easy conversation. Jackson and his teammate (J9’s youngest) played together during their older siblings’ game. Too bad the family lives in Fairview.
02-02-20
R1, A5, and the kids came over to watch the Super Bowl with us. We had delicious food and kept ourselves entertained with prop bets. The kids ate and then disappeared upstairs for most of the evening. I thought it was an enjoyable time.
02-03-20
I went to Zumba this morning and talked to N2 out in the hall before class started. She is so energetic and full of life. She’s a perfect Zumba teacher. I talked to R1 for a little bit after class and saw A5 on the way out to my car.
02-04-20
R1 and I met at the gym. We exercised together and then went to Mosaic to discuss the last section of the book. It was a good read. We talked about getting the kids together to decorate Valentine’s-themed cookies and settled on Friday afternoon.
02-06-20
K4 and I were texting this morning about the girls and their sleepover at another classmate’s house and she asked if I wanted to go to lunch just the two of us sometime in the next couple of weeks. I said that would be great.
I texted some with a Georgia friend who said she wanted to come visit and set a tentative date. I really hope it works out. I’d love to spend the weekend being tourists together.
I dropped Kaitlyn off at her sleepover this afternoon. She has been excited about it ever since we told her she could go a week ago. It was a group of five girls. Kaitlyn disappeared as soon as we arrived. I met the mom and talked to her a bit. I was a little nervous about the whole thing but knowing C4 was also going meant there was some familiarity.
02-07-20
I saw R1 at the gym and firmed up our afternoon plans.
Jackson and I met Kaitlyn and all of the sleepover girls at Wendy’s for lunch. I invited one of the other parents to sit and eat with us since all of the girls were sitting together. We chatted some over lunch.
R1 and the kids came over in the afternoon to decorate sugar cookies. Then the kids went upstairs to play for a while. I think they had a good time.
02-10-20
I saw R1 at the gym. She was on her way out. I said hi to N2 at the beginning of Zumba class.
K4 texted me to ask about our summer schedule. I guess her kids attend camps and wanted to see if we could coordinate and maybe get the kids in one together.
02-11-20
I texted E1 to see how she was doing and to invite her to get together for lunch sometime. We are tentatively scheduled for next Thursday.
02-12-20
I saw R1 at the gym and was able to talk to her for a bit. It was pretty busy at the desk.
I checked in with my GA friend about her potential visit and she said she could come so I have something to look forward to next month.
Adam was texting with the father of Kaitlyn’s GA best friend and they’re trying to figure out how to get everyone together this coming Sunday. It would be great fun if it works out.
02-14-20
The kids and I went to the library this afternoon. I saw A4 and talked to her for a little bit. She said there were six people at the creative writing group on Wednesday (I obviously was unable to make it).
02-18-20
I picked R1 up this morning and we went to the Arboretum to walk the trails before the rain started. We got nearly four miles in and stayed dry. It was really nice feeling secluded from civilization for a bit.
I received a note in the mail today from one of the people I’d sent a note to last month. It was a very pleasant surprise. She expressed interest in being pen pals so we’ll see how it goes.
02-20-20
I saw R1 when we arrived at the gym. I saw N2 in the locker room and asked if she was taking a class. She said she was taking the same class I was. When I got upstairs I talked a little to D4, the instructor for the class.
R1 and I have been texting about reading another book together.
E1 and I were supposed to have lunch today but canceled because of school being closed.
02-21-20
School was canceled again today so I texted E1 to see if she and the girls wanted to meet for lunch today. She was game so we all met at Culver’s early enough to beat the lunch rush. The kids were getting a little crazy after food so I suggested they come over to play. E1 had some errands to run first so they came over afterward. The kids enjoyed playing together. It was nice to catch up with E1.
02-23-20
I texted K4 to verify that we’re still on for lunch tomorrow. R1 picked a book for us to read together next. We’ll hopefully get together Tuesday.
02-24-20
I met K4 for lunch today. It was nice to get to know her a little more. We talked some about the past weekend and potentially getting the girls together again soon.
I’ve been texting with R1 about tomorrow. She’s not feeling well so we may postpone to next week.
02-25-20
I went to the library to clear up an issue and talked to A4. She confirmed that she had been in the Mardi Gras parade our family attended downtown Sunday afternoon. She asked if I would be at the next writing group.
A fairly social month for us. Now that we also have a weekly Life Group, our time with other people should pick up even more. I’m feeling fairly positive on the friend front.
Share Four Somethings: March 2019
We have reached the end of March which means it’s time once again to share my experiences of the month through four categories: something loved, something said, something learned, and something read. This prompt is part of a blog link up with other writers. You can check out the original post at HeatherGerwing.com and add your own four somethings!
March has 5 Saturdays this year and I didn’t realize the link up is on the 4th Saturday, so this is a few days late but I’m going with “better late than never.” Scroll down to check out mine!
Something Loved
This month I finished up the Harry Potter series with my daughter Kaitlyn. We managed to get all seven books read in two months! Kaitlyn also plowed through the unofficial eighth book, The Cursed Child, because she wanted to know more about what happened to Harry. I thoroughly enjoyed the series. It was very engaging, suspenseful, and entertaining. I see why so many people have loved it!
Something Said
“In Seeing White, we set out to turn the lens. To look at racism not mainly through the experience of people on the receiving end, as we journalists usually do, but by examining those of us whose ancestors built this contraption, this white supremacist dream. Those of us conditioned not to see whiteness, even as we accept its advantages as our birthright. We set out to get better at seeing the water we’re all swimming in. And maybe we have. If you’re like me, you’ve still got much, much to learn. But also if you’re like me, you know enough now. Enough that there’s no longer any excuse.“
This was the closing statement by John Biewen of the last of fourteen episodes called Seeing White on the Scene on Radio podcast. It was a very educational and
Something Learned
Our washing machine started leaking and I called to get it repaired. I first tried some potential quick fixes which, unfortunately, didn’t work. When the repair technician came out, he remedied the issue very quickly. Through this process, I learned a lot more about my washing machine and how it works. I now know where all of the filters are as well as the fact that you can quickly remove the top of the machine by removing two screws. I was able to see the inside of the machine and the various hoses and parts it holds. If it leaks again, I will have more knowledge to try to remedy the issue myself before needing to call a professional. Not necessarily knowledge I wanted to have, obviously, but useful nonetheless.
Something Read
One of my favorite books read this month was Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. The author compares seashells with seasons of life and uses the experience of vacations at the beach to help remind us of more natural and beneficial life rhythms that we tend to forget in normal life. The book itself was very engaging and thought-provoking. Published in 1955, its content is still quite relevant for American women today. When I learned that it was her oldest son that was the infamous Lindbergh baby who was kidnapped in 1932 I was intrigued. I looked her up on Wikipedia and learned a lot more about her highly public and interesting life.
Those are my Four Somethings for March. Click on the link to see January or February. I would love to hear about your highlights for the month. Comment and share them with me!
We Are God’s Handiwork
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)
We were created by God. He uniquely crafted us to do good works. God prepared our assignments before we were born, making us specifically with the attributes needed to complete them. He determined where and when we would be born, who our parents would be, whether we would have siblings, and what gifts and abilities we would possess.
We were not unintentionally born, but lovingly and purposefully created by God. People in our lives may tell us that we were a mistake or an accident, but we are not. God knew us before we were born. He saw us in the womb and determined our paths. He is able to work positively in even the most challenging of situations. We may have had a difficult childhood or experienced great hurts, losses, or suffering. God is able to redeem our negative experiences and bring something good from them.
In addition to being adoringly and meticulously crafted, we are set apart for a specific mission. No one else can accomplish what we have been assigned. We may think it’s already been done, but what God prepared for us to do can’t be completed by another person. There will be people you know or see online doing something similar to what you want to do. Don’t let that keep you from crafting your own niche. Your abilities, ideas, location, product, and audience will be different enough to find a place. That’s how multiple people are able to succeed in the same marketplace. Be faithful to do what God has asked you to do. Don’t compare yourself to others because your calling is unique, fitted specifically to how God made you.
Join me over at The Glorious Table to read the rest of this post!