[Scaly Freak]

1 minute ago, Alanna said:

 

Yes! Did you know that there are now two more books in the series? I still need to read the latest one!

 

Um. I do now.

 

BRB, must go search library catalog

[athousandwords]

18 hours ago, Alanna said:

The first Mistborn era is also a good entry for new Sanderson readers. If I remember correctly, Sanderson himself has said that he doesn't recommend The Stormlight Archive for new-to-him readers because it's better to have some trust in him first as an author. He tends to slowly pull various pieces together until it pays off in a huge finale, and The Stormlight Archive has a lot of the pulling-things-together bit just by virtue of its size and number of points of view. That said, if huge epic fantasies are your thing, starting with that series should also be fine. As a disclaimer, 4/10 books in the series are published, and there are going to be five books in the first arc. 

 

I'm actually in the middle of Way of Kings right now after waiting for forever for it to be available at the library. I'm enjoying it, but I think that's a very valid point about starting with Mistborn! Plus Mistborn is just plain good. I also liked Elantris, although as a stand-alone book, it doesn't quite have the scope of his other novels. But it's a quick read to see if you like his style of writing!

[athousandwords]

On 3/6/2022 at 3:43 PM, KB Girl said:

Things got away from me a bit after that, I am very far behind on lots of things- to stick with my frog analogy, they are breeding faster than I am stomping. Part of that is because of simple hiding/procrastinating/being too busy in general- but thankfully part of that is also because the weather turned around and we've been spending lots more time outdoors and in our new garden. I'll share some photos later. The sunshine has been good for me. The abundance of frogs not so much. 

 

Anyway, I felt like being here and updating, but I don't feel like doing a proper update other than this, so that's all. 

 

Glad you're enjoying the sunshine! It's been warm here too, and it feels so nice to be outside. Sorry to hear your frogs are running rampant... maybe some of them can escape unsquashed? (Am I beating the metaphor to death?)

[KB Girl]

On 3/3/2022 at 10:48 PM, Drakandar said:

Happy (one week later) birthday! 🥳 🎁 🎂
  
Not sure how you're situated, but since we moved into our shiny new eco-friendly WTW/Heatpump home the air has been dry as a bone.

If you think humidity (or rather the lack of it) is a thing, you may want to start measuring. 

At some point I measured a humidity of 36% - dry eyes, itchy skin, dead plants. 

Last week I installed a central humidifier in our ventilation system and we're doing a solid 50% now everywhere.

Unfortunately it consumes 2 to 3 kw a day 😆 

Getting a simpler unit just for the bedroom may be just enough to get you through the night!
Could also be dull air - but don't rule out carbon dioxide as well! That one goes up so frickingly fast that it scares me sometimes - and NOBODY knows!

I'm so happy that they are finally starting to meter this in classrooms!!
If you want to know it all; Netatmo has some pretty awesome devices to get the info.

Haha, noooo. I think I'm spot on average with 1m80. 
I have two boys. They are 12 and 6. When you have either of them alone they can be really sweet.

When you put them together, anything is possible. From nice playing together to complete fireworks haha

Gotta love them though 💙

 

Reading up on all the stuff you were busy with and everything that is happening around you - wow!

I do hope you'll find some time to rest,  relax and recover  

Oh I hadn't even thought of measuring the humidity, that's a great idea! Thanks for the tip  

12 and 6! you're way ahead of me. It does get easier as they get older right?

 

On 3/4/2022 at 6:52 PM, Harriet said:

Hey sup? Coping with the news somehow?

Somehow! Even though I'm avoiding all the news its all anyone wants to talk about isn't it? Everyone is worried. 

And you? I'll go check your thread in a minute. 

 

On 3/7/2022 at 3:12 AM, Elastigirl said:

My son sent me the Sanderson video. He cracks me up. I can't believe how much writing he does! I want to sign up for the kickstarter. Can't wait for the garden photos. Now that I am know how to post photos, I'll share some of my garden photos once my garden gets going.

He's really a good guy, I love how he interacts with his fans I really want to sign up too, but I don't have that kind of money lying around. 

I'd love to see photos of your garden! 

 

On 3/7/2022 at 7:47 PM, DaemonCorax said:

 

*bwahahahahahahahaha* <laughs in Coloradan> Omg. 35% is the highest setpoint I can put our house humidifier on during the winter and NOT get condensation on the windows. Super warm AND super cold February days routinely clock in sub-10%.

 

Also.....Happy Birthday belatedly @KB

 

I have now stumbled across Brandon Sanderson in two threads on here this week. I haven't read much fantasy in a long long time. I've stayed mostly in the realm of cyberpunk and sci-fi when I'm in a reading mood. BUT owning a tablet reader has got me reading more at night so..... time to download some new stuff. What should I start with?

Mistborn! Definitely mistborn

It's got all of Sanderson's brilliance with plotting and magic systems. 

 

On 3/7/2022 at 7:52 PM, Mad Hatter said:

Ohh so that's why YT's been recommending me Sanderson videos the past week!

Hah yes, did you check it out? 

 

On 3/7/2022 at 8:36 PM, Alanna said:

I hope the frogs stop multiplying so you can continue enjoying the outdoor time! I look forward to seeing the photos

Indeed! those are the best well wishes really. I'll get on those photos

 

On 3/8/2022 at 3:22 PM, athousandwords said:

I'm actually in the middle of Way of Kings right now after waiting for forever for it to be available at the library. I'm enjoying it, but I think that's a very valid point about starting with Mistborn! Plus Mistborn is just plain good. I also liked Elantris, although as a stand-alone book, it doesn't quite have the scope of his other novels. But it's a quick read to see if you like his style of writing!

Elantris was the first book I read and Mistborn the second. I liked Elantris well enough, but it doesn't quite have the same oomf that mistborn does imo. 

 

On 3/8/2022 at 3:24 PM, athousandwords said:

 

Glad you're enjoying the sunshine! It's been warm here too, and it feels so nice to be outside. Sorry to hear your frogs are running rampant... maybe some of them can escape unsquashed? (Am I beating the metaphor to death?)

Oh it's actually freezing here! but I don't care as long as the sun shines, it's still really nice to be out for cold I can put on more layers you know, rain and grey skies is just plain awful with any type of clothing. 

Kind of beating it to death but yes, I am looking into.... being less perfectionist about my squashing and ehh.. getting other people to help me squash some

[KB Girl]

Still sunny out here! and it looks like we'll be above freezing for a full 24 hours tomorrow.

War? Chaos? Financial stress? Climate change? Frogs? Secondary traumatic stress? Sick kids? It's all good as long as the sun is shining.

 

Tuesday I stomped on a very big frog that was way past it's deadline. I didn't do it the way I wanted it to be done. Not even close to perfect. But it is done. Then I lifted some kettlebells (5:00 jerk with 2x14kg = 51 reps, then 8x10/10 snatch with 14kg, with 20 sec pauzes) and then I went to our garden plot to watch Jaap shovel manure around and help my oldest kid make pointy sticks with a knife. 

 

Today (Wednesday) I took the kids to a homeschool group meetup (which means I basically sat in the sun for a couple of hours idly chatting with some other parents, occasionally providing snacks). Nice work day in the afternoon/evening, full classes, enjoyable challenges. Got in a super short workout after (it was late and I was tired), just 10 minutes to do 3x3 jumping pull-ups and 3x8/8 Bulgarian split squats. 

 

 

Funny kid story; 

Spoiler

Around Christmas my 5yo revisited the question of what/who is god which I answered pretty much the same as last year, but this year she got very invested in the topic of the whole Christmas story and she decided that she believed in god. She was very into it. Fine by me of course, so I got her some books and answered all her questions and arranged for her to meet up with some religious relatives of mine so she could ask more questions, etc. 

So last week she asked me what a pharaoh is (she heard it in a song) and we rolled into ancient Egypt as our next homeschooling topic. We covered important inventions, irrigation, hieroglyphs and how those differ from our letters, sun and moon calendar.... aaaand ofcourse mummies and their gods x) Now she also believes in all the Egyptian gods! 

[deftona]

8 hours ago, KB Girl said:

Now she also believes in all the Egyptian gods! 

 

the Egyptian gods knew how to party, she's on to a winner here. 

[DarkMoba]

On 3/9/2022 at 10:58 PM, KB Girl said:

12 and 6! you're way ahead of me. It does get easier as they get older right

In my experience, there is a bit of a sweet spot between 6 and 12 where they can just live an uncomplicated life XD

The last year of elementary school has been quite intense so far. Which secondary school do you want to go, what is your final schooladvice, what topics need extra polishing (math, spelling, grammar, etc).

Mix that together with a nice blend of 'who am I?' (since, well hormones and puberty) and you can have your hands full as a parent haha

 

On 3/9/2022 at 11:18 PM, KB Girl said:

Now she also believes in all the Egyptian gods! 

Wait till she learns about the Norse Gods.

Those are badass 😆

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

On 3/9/2022 at 4:18 PM, KB Girl said:

Still sunny out here! and it looks like we'll be above freezing for a full 24 hours tomorrow.

 

 

Sunshine really does help adjust the attitude!!  

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

10 hours ago, Drakandar said:

Wait till she learns about the Norse Gods.

Those are badass 😆

[Mad Hatter]

On 3/9/2022 at 11:58 PM, KB Girl said:

Hah yes, did you check it out? 

I actually listened to a few lectures on writing. Not that I write, but it was interesting!

 

On 3/10/2022 at 12:18 AM, KB Girl said:

Tuesday I stomped on a very big frog that was way past it's deadline.

💪

[KB Girl]

On 3/13/2022 at 10:28 AM, Drakandar said:

In my experience, there is a bit of a sweet spot between 6 and 12 where they can just live an uncomplicated life XD

The last year of elementary school has been quite intense so far. Which secondary school do you want to go, what is your final schooladvice, what topics need extra polishing (math, spelling, grammar, etc).

Mix that together with a nice blend of 'who am I?' (since, well hormones and puberty) and you can have your hands full as a parent haha

Wait till she learns about the Norse Gods.

Those are badass 😆

Ahh luckily I get to skip all the school drama  puberty though... well I've got 6+ years to prepare

 

On 3/13/2022 at 2:32 PM, Chris-Tien Jinn said:

 

Sunshine really does help adjust the attitude!!  

It really does

 

On 3/16/2022 at 7:06 AM, Mad Hatter said:

I actually listened to a few lectures on writing. Not that I write, but it was interesting!

 

💪

Oh yes I want to listen to those at some point when I have space in my brain! 

[KB Girl]

While I've been around I haven't updated my own thread in a while. I've had some brain struggles (my brain monster lies to me and says I'm useless and worthless and incompetent and while I know it's lying it still makes me feel bad and then I don't feel like talking/posting) and I've also been sick for a couple of days, so not much has been happening challenge related anyway. The past two years it seems like challenges often turn into a challenge to just get through the days eh. In my more hopeless moments I feel like I'll be stuck here forever and never improve on anything anymore or learn new things or do any of the 5000 things that are on my wist list.. but then I try to remember that even then my life is pretty good so mmm. And also it's probably not true. 

 

Anyway, it was a pretty good day, felt pretty good for the first time since being sick (still coughing though). Took a long walk, lots of sunshine, got some things done. Long phone call with my best friend while my 5yo was at a dance class. I planned to go to kettlebell class this evening (training for the first time in a week due to sickness) but those plans fell through because Jaap was not feeling well and I didn't want to leave him alone with the kids in the evening. Hopefully I'll be able to squeeze in at least some strength training if not kettlebell training tomorrow

[Waanie]

18 hours ago, KB Girl said:

While I've been around I haven't updated my own thread in a while. I've had some brain struggles (my brain monster lies to me and says I'm useless and worthless and incompetent and while I know it's lying it still makes me feel bad and then I don't feel like talking/posting) and I've also been sick for a couple of days, so not much has been happening challenge related anyway. The past two years it seems like challenges often turn into a challenge to just get through the days eh. In my more hopeless moments I feel like I'll be stuck here forever and never improve on anything anymore or learn new things or do any of the 5000 things that are on my wist list.. but then I try to remember that even then my life is pretty good so mmm. And also it's probably not true. 

Ugh, I'm feeling the same. Even when I try to make my goals as small as possible, something always comes along to sabotage it. I'm glad you're feeling better again after being sick.

 

Obviously, you are improving on lots of fronts, but progress might be too slow to see yourself. You know, you're cleaning and gardening now, homeschooling your kids, running a successful gym, etc. You did not do those things, or not as well, five years ago. Of course, things can always go better, but I think you're doing a pretty good job of figuring out life .

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

21 hours ago, KB Girl said:

my brain monster lies to me

 

Death to the brain monster!!!  

[Alanna]

23 hours ago, KB Girl said:

While I've been around I haven't updated my own thread in a while. I've had some brain struggles (my brain monster lies to me and says I'm useless and worthless and incompetent and while I know it's lying it still makes me feel bad and then I don't feel like talking/posting) and I've also been sick for a couple of days, so not much has been happening challenge related anyway. The past two years it seems like challenges often turn into a challenge to just get through the days eh. In my more hopeless moments I feel like I'll be stuck here forever and never improve on anything anymore or learn new things or do any of the 5000 things that are on my wist list.. but then I try to remember that even then my life is pretty good so mmm. And also it's probably not true. 

 

 

Hugs. I get that feeling. As Waanie said, you're also doing a TON of intensive things right now, so maintaining or even regressing on other elements of your life isn't unexpected. And I'm sure all the COVID upheavals and stressors haven't helped. I'm not a parent, but I'd also wager you'll get back some more energy and time as your little ones get older and more self sufficient.

 

I also get the need to feeling like you're improving in some way, though - one of the reasons I'm doing more skill based strength work is because I wanted to learn something different rather than just trying to rebuild my previous strength base. Are there any small new things you can do that require less time/energy or that can build up to sustainable progress over time? Or are there new things that you are doing that you just haven't recognised (like the gardening, perhaps)? 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

On 3/18/2022 at 4:24 PM, KB Girl said:

my brain monster lies to me and says I'm useless and worthless and incompetent and while I know it's lying it still makes me feel bad and then I don't feel like talking/posting

[Harriet]

18 hours ago, Waanie said:

Ugh, I'm feeling the same. Even when I try to make my goals as small as possible, something always comes along to sabotage it.

 

Me too

 

On 3/18/2022 at 10:24 PM, KB Girl said:

Anyway, it was a pretty good day, felt pretty good for the first time since being sick (still coughing though). Took a long walk, lots of sunshine, got some things done. Long phone call with my best friend while my 5yo was at a dance class. I planned to go to kettlebell class this evening (training for the first time in a week due to sickness) but those plans fell through because Jaap was not feeling well and I didn't want to leave him alone with the kids in the evening. Hopefully I'll be able to squeeze in at least some strength training if not kettlebell training tomorrow

 

Sorry for the crappy feelings and I'm glad you're getting some sunlight. I'm sure it helps a bit. Enjoy your bellllls