Jennifer Apodaca's Blog

I just finished a book I loved. THE HIDING PLACE, The Triumphant True Store of Corrie Ten Bloom (written with Jon and Elizabeth Sherrill). The story is a memoir of Corrie Ten Bloom set in Holland during the Nazi Occupation. She and her family became part of the underground, and suffered for their bravery. But what I loved about this book is hard for me to put into words…I think the best way I can say it is that it’s the simplicity of faith that becomes the foundation of every choice. To me, this story is not about religion, but true faith that shapes us better, kinder and braver.

I really loved this book

It was a slow start, but even that I didn’t mind. And the authors didn’t feel the need to document the cruelty and torture in graphic details, and yet I felt the impact clearly. This book was published in the 1970’s, so it’s not new. But I found it still powerful for me.

Yesterday, I started listening to an audiobook MIND GAMES by Nora Roberts while I was cleaning bathrooms. I like it so far, and look forward to listening to more of it.

What are you reading?

Happy Wednesday!

The post Wednesday Reading first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

So that didn’t go quite as I planned…

Friday, I got up super early and went to my Oncologist-surgeon visit. That did go as expected. No evidence of cancer, and overall, my health is good as far as we can tell medically. And can I just say that I really like my doctor and her team? They seem to really care on a professional level, and that is so helpful for all the patients who are fighting for health.

So my day was going good. But Wizard’s day took a turn when he was power washing the driveway. As he was cleaning up, he stepped back and tripped over the hose. About the time I got home, soreness in his lower back directly above his left hip was setting in. He mentioned going to Urgent Care then decided not to. I tried to talk him into it, but he just wanted to get through the night.

Thankfully, I had a few pain meds left from my surgeries, because his pain kept getting worse and I was growing worried. However in the morning, he was able to move marginally better. That indicated to me that it was unlikely anything was broken. However, I’m not messing around with Wizard’s health. I used my wifely powers to nudge him into going to the ER. He agreed, mainly because we have an agreement to listen to each other in these cases The experience at the ER was fantastic. A doctor spotted him struggling to walk in and quickly assessed him. They moved us through registration then started pain control, and about a half hour later, took the x-ray. Thankfully, nothing was broken, and we were out of there in about two hours time. He’s sore, but the meds are helping a lot, and he moves better each day. We will followup with our regular doc too.

Anyhow, I’m not caught up on life, and am in fact, way more behind. But Wizard is going to be okay and that’s a heck of a lot more important!

Sunday, Wizard insisted I go to lunch with my sister. It’s her birthday and this really mattered to me. Wizard was fine while I was gone. And I had a great time with my sister! We’re going to do a dinner with both her and her husband too, because both she and Biker Hubby have October birthdays. We just need a coordinate a day around other obligations. I’m looking forward to that too!

How was your weekend?

The post Weekend Roundup first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

TGIF!! Let’s get right to sharing five random things about our week. Here’s mine.

I’ve packed on the miles this week. Monday, I went out to my MIL’s (Wizard was already there from the night before). I took meatloaf, potatoes and some cut up vegetables. I’m beginning to feel that I could have another career as a traveling meal planner/provider. It was 9:00pm by the time Maggie and I got home, and while I didn’t have any trouble, I don’t love driving longer distances in the dark these days. But life doesn’t really care about my driving preferences right now, and that’s a silly thing to whine about with all the other stuff happening in the family these days. Anyhow, every day but Tuesday involved long distance driving, but the bulk of it was in the daylight hours.I got my ultrasound on my neck done, and all is good.Had a conversation with my endocrinologist. My thyroid replacement hormones look good, but he believes I have a drinking problem. Not THAT kind of drinking problem, LOL! The kind wherein I have chronic low sodium from drinking too much water and fluids in general. I’m trying to cut back. I just think it’s funny that most health and or medical advice is to eat less sodium and drink more water. Except for me because I just have to be weird.Wizard and I took a break from life and saw Cigi yesterday. She was the usual delight, but she was so tired, she fell asleep while eating lunch You know, that’s the way to live life — Full On until you get so tired you fall asleep in your lunch. Then you know you’ve given the day your all! She really is cute.Today I do the year followup with my surgeon. All will be fine since my ultrasound came back fine and I don’t have any concerning symptoms. This weekend, I’m going to lunch with Biker Witch for her birthday.

That’s my five, now I’d love to hear yours! I hope everyone has a great weekend!

The post Friday Five first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

It’s October! Time for Halloween and Holidays. Where the heck is 2025 going?

I finished listening to DAUGHTERS OF THE OCCUPATION by Shelley Sanders. I liked it very much. But since then, I haven’t really read or listened to any books. I do listen to a lot of podcasts, but those are not the same thing

How about you? What are you reading or listening to?

I hope everyone is having a Happy Wednesday that involves good books and/or listens!

The post Wednesday Reading first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

Not much to tell about the weekend. It came, it went, and nothing really changed.

Saturday, we went over Youngest’s. We hung out there and talked for a while. It’s great to see them! Other highlights were pics of the grandkids in various weekend activities. I’m still blown away by uber tough Middle Son becoming a girl-dad. He’s all in, LOL. And she’s a lucky girl to have a dad like him looking out for her. Not so sure she’ll agree when she’s a teenager and ready to date, though

Sunday, I took some pants back to Macy’s. I ordered two pairs of jeans, and dithered for more than a week on whether or not I should keep them. I make decisions all the time, but get really tangled up on clothes! Anyhow, I split the difference and kept on pair and returned the other. We’ll see if I like them after washing and having them hemmed (short girl problems!) I also tried using a tool on my steam carpet cleaner to clean the spots in my bedroom from Miss Maggie May. It’s drying as I write this, so we’ll see. All the cleaning of that carpet in there is taking a toll and it needs to last as long as Maggie is in our lives, so a few more years yet.

Later Sunday, Wizard left to stay with his mom for a couple days and I’m making the trek back and forth, and prepping meals. Then Wednesday and Friday I will make 100 mile round trips to the UCI Chao Cancer Center for my followup stuff. The upside of doing it is that I know we are doing all we can to prevent or catch a round two of the Big C. It helps me to live most of my days not worrying about it and that’s a gift I’m grateful for. Oh and I finally made my ENT appointment later in October.

We’ve had a bit cooler weather, but its humid. I really for some coolish 70 degree days!

How was your weekend?

The post Weekend Roundup first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

TGIF!! I’m not really feeling Friday, but we’ll pretend I’m joyful Fake it until ya make it, right? So with that in mind, get right to sharing five random things about our week. Here’s mine:

Sunday night, Wizard was staying at his mom’s house and I was home with Maggie. So I asked Maggie if she wanted to watch a movie. I assumed she agreed because she doesn’t actually speak any human languages. I set up a movie, I got her blanket and put it on the couch next to me. Maggie was like nope. Then she went to the adjacent couch and stared at me, then stared at the other couch. She did this back and forth like watching a tennis match until my obviously slow human brain caught on. She did not want to sit with me. She wanted to sit on her own couch. Which she happily did for two hours while I watched the movie. Is my dog actually a cat who prefers alone time?Oldest son, along with his wife and Turbo have a lot of exciting stuff going on. They just closed on a new-to-them house. And now renovations on that house are beginning today. That’s cool, and will be amazing when the renos are done! But the best news…Turbo will have a little brother or sister next April! We are all excited!! This will be our third grandchild.  They are pretty busy with a seven year old, a baby on the way, and a new house undergoing renovations, but they seem up for the challenge.Wizard and I stopped off on the way home from seeing Oldest’s new house and had a nice lunch together. We haven’t had much time to do anything fun or enjoyable together so that was nice.This week I’ve been trying to arrange doctor appointments and all the issues that come with it. I finally got it all sorted out. So next week I have a televisit with my endocrinologist in the morning on Wednesday, and then a long drive for an head and neck ultrasound in the afternoon. At least the ultrasound itself is easy! On Friday I’m driving again to see my cancer surgeon for the one year followup, but that should be pretty routine. I still need to schedule the ENT appointment for my nosebleeds that are annoying poor Wizard. And the following week, I have two mammogram followup tests. The mammogram tests are pretty much routine call backs and nothing I’m concerned about at this point (I have enough going on without borrowing trouble). But the cost irritates the crap out of me, and I told Wizard I was going to have to pay out a chunk of money. He refused to commiserate, and said, “Your health comes first. This isn’t the place to cheap out.” He’s not wrong, but I still think the insurance I pay a shocking amount monthly for should cover it.This weekend is a wait and see. The family is taking care of his mom for a six night stretch, while all trying to juggle their own lives and families. Lately, making any plans is complicated, LOL! I really do want to get over and see Youngest though. I can probably make happen as long as they’re home

That’s my five, now I’d love to hear yours! I hope everyone has a good weekend filled with happy news and fun times!

The post Friday Five first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

Happy Wednesday. I’m posting this on Tuesday afternoon because there was some kind of “incident” with he web hosting service that requires more maintenance over night which will disrupt my scheduled post. Hopefully getting the post up early will bypass any problems.

Onto reading. I’m still reading TO KILL A BADGER by Shelly Laurenston and enjoying more now. It’s still very jumpy, but at least I’ve caught onto who most of the wide ranging characters are. I’m three quarters of the way through it. I would only recommend this particular book to true fans of the series, otherwise it’d be seriously confusing. On the upside for me, it’s a good dose of humor.

In audio, I finished a mystery titled, THE SUMMER GIRL by Jenny Blackhurst. It was okay, but the ending made me mad. It wouldn’t go on my recommendation list.

Now I’m listening to the historical fiction (inspired by true events) DAUGHTERS OF THE OCCUPATION by Shelly Sanders and I really like it. The subject matter (Soviet and German occupation during WWII) is difficult, but I find it compelling. I really like well written historical fiction. I find it makes me feel history as well as push me to think critically about historical events, both in the historical context, and how it has, and continues to shape our world today.

What are you reading?

Programming Note: If I don’t answer comments in a timely manner, I probably had to go to my MIL’s. I haven’t been brining my laptop because it’s been sort of chaotic overall. I will answer eventually, and really REALLY appreciate your patience

The post Wednesday Reading first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

Friday was great, we went to see CiGi. She is so much fun! She also makes me feel special and right now, that’s doubly special. It helps. Then it took us forever to wade through Friday traffic to get home, but that’s okay. Cigi is worth it. Here’s a pic of her with her playing with a puppy-toy that Biker Witch and Biker Hubby got her for her birthday.

Saturday, Wizard went to his moms in the morning, while I went across town to buy tamales, came home, cooked up some lime-cilantro rice and prepared a salad, and I even got in a workout in before Maggie and I went out to my MIL’s. Maggie is so funny — the second I open the car door for her, she races to the front door and waits impatiently to get inside now. I’m so thankful that she’s easy going about the schlepping the 45 miles back and forth to my MIL’s. We played cards, had dinner and my MIL demolished her tamale and rice, and even ate some salad. She’s been losing weight so we work to make meals easy going and pleasant, and then she usually eats for us. We hung out some more then Maggie and I came home, while Wizard stayed the night. Maggie and I weren’t home fifteen minutes before some clown set off fireworks on the street behind us. Then they peeled off in their car.

They did it again at 2:00am with a big display of fireworks. Same car racing off (or it sounded like the same car). Poor Maggie was terrified. I was just pissed. I assume none of them managed to injure themselves. I should be relieved…right? Sigh…here’s a pic of the burnt pile fireworks the next morning. The geniuses set them all off at once, I’m truly surprised they haven’t hurt themselves or someone else yet.

I got up Sunday morning, did my usual walk with Maggie and typical morning routine, then thought I’d better make good use of some time at home. I vacuumed furniture, stripped all the beds including a thick mattress pad that takes forever to dry and started washing that, knowing it would take all day to get through the loads of laundry. Then I whipped up a batch of Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate chip cookies to go in the fridge before I bake them later…and got the call the next family caregiver who would relieve Wizard cancelled. Guys, Wizard has been going nonstop and he’s exhausted. We couldn’t find anyone to cover, so, I’ll told Wizard I’d go out later that afternoon and relieve him. But he refused to let me, instead he came home for a change of clothes and a few things then went back himself. I’m worried about him, but it’s his mom and I’m not going to argue too much. We are just tired. At least my MIL is pretty easy to be with even with dementia. With the right care/management, she does fine and isn’t combative, nor does she wander (thank God for that). We can leave her alone for short periods, like running to the store. But the situation around her is what concerns us. All we can do is one day at a time.

Oh and I baked all the cookies. I was even able to send some back to his mom’s with Wizard.

How was your weekend?

The post Weekend Roundup first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

TGIF!! Let’s get right to sharing five random things about our week.

Monday we were at my mother in law’s house, then Wizard stayed the night.Tuesday, I went grocery shopping while Wizard was still at his moms. Then after Wizard came home, we went to Costco. We usually do a Costco stock up every one to two months.Wednesday I pondered how Lifetime Movies that no one thinks could ever happen in real life, when in fact, they happen in real life every danged day. Is that cryptic? Even though I’m retired from writing, I still ponder these things, especially when Real Life gets, well, real. Yeah yeah, I’m being cryptic so let’s move on. The highlight of the day was me following Wizard driving the Shelby 20 miles to the race car repair shop. I kid you not, they work on race cars, and I believe the shop has a race car. They are most definitely qualified to work on the Shelby and seeing the other cars there is super cool. But following Wizard…not so much…but don’t tell him I said that! I may have even seen my life flash before my eyes, LOL. Anyhow, we made it there and back home safely.Thursday I rage cleaned until my back hurt, which was a great use energy. My house practically sparkles Okay, it doesn’t sparkle, and there’s always more that I could have done. But still, I was productive, and bonus points for not rage-baking! Also it was humid and icky outside, so I was happy to be  in the A/C, listening to a book while cleaning. After that, we went to pick up the Shelby and hope this issue is fixed.There’s a chance we’ll go see Cigi today, and if not today, then we’ll go Wednesday of next week. Then back to my MIL’s house for he weekend. Maggie will be happy to see her. I think Maggie has officially declared my MIL as one of her pack. It’s very sweet.

I know, it all sounds so boring. This is where life is for us at the moment Now show me how much more exciting your lives are with your five things!!! I hope everyone has a peaceful, relaxing and fun weekend!

The post Friday Five first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.

I’m meandering through TO KILL A BADGER by Shelly Laurenston. On Amazon, the book has really good ratings, and so is apparently well liked. I really like the characters and enjoy the humor, but the jumping around is fracturing my interest. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t dislike it, but I find myself frustrated with the jumping around to so many characters and POVs.

But I’m not even a quarter into the book, so it may just be a set up issue. We shall see!

What are you reading?

The post Wednesday Reading first appeared on Jennifer Lyon.