Thursday, February 26, 2026

Cinder Book Review

 



                                  Cinder by Marissa Meyer

📅 Published: January 3, 2012 

👩‍💼 Author: Marissa Meyer 



Overview


Cinder reimagines the classic Cinderella fairytale in a futuristic, dystopian world. The story follows Linh Cinder, a teenage cyborg mechanic in New Beijing who is treated as second-class because of her mechanical parts. While struggling with prejudice and societal limitations, she unwittingly becomes entangled in political tensions, a deadly plague, and a budding (and forbidden) connection with Prince Kai. As the plot unfolds, secrets about her past emerge, and Cinder must grapple with identity, loyalty, and her role in a conflict that affects the fate of Earth and its lunar colony. 

Marissa Meyer’s Cinder is a refreshingly bold blend of science fiction, fantasy, and fairy tale that elevates a familiar story into something completely original. The novel’s strength lies in its world-building: the fusion of high-tech futures with classic themes of power, prejudice, and belonging makes every twist feel earned and impactful. Cinder herself is a compelling protagonist — resilient and clever, yet vulnerable in ways that make her deeply relatable.


What sets this book apart are the surprises. Cinder’s evolution from a mechanic trying to survive daily life to someone at the heart of interplanetary politics is full of shocking reveals, shifting alliances, and emotional highs and lows that keep readers hooked from chapter to chapter.


The pacing is swift, with enough action and tension to satisfy fans of both YA fantasy and sci-fi. And although it’s technically a retelling, Cinder never feels predictable — it honors the Cinderella roots while confidently charting its own path. All in all, it’s the perfect mix of heart, adventure, and intrigue. 


Thursday is here!

                          

                                     Peach Skies & Little Win

Good morning, friends.

It’s 6:40 a.m., and I’m on my way to work. The sky this morning is covered in clouds, but they’re glowing with the softest peach tone. It’s one of those quiet, breathtaking moments that makes you pause and think about how big this universe really is. Sometimes that thought feels overwhelming — how small we are in the grand scheme of things. But other times, like this morning, it feels comforting. Like we’re just tiny pieces of something beautifully designed.


Yesterday had a few sweet wins, and I’m carrying that into today.


First — Luther sold his old truck. The one that doesn’t even run! He got $900 for it, and the gentleman who bought it — Rodney, who recently moved to Chickasha from California — was genuinely excited about putting some elbow grease into it. I love that. There’s something special about someone seeing potential where others might not.


That $900 is officially going toward a new refrigerator. Y’all have heard me talk about ours slowly giving up on us. So that felt like a responsible, grown-up victory. I tucked that money safely away, and hopefully by next week we’ll have a new fridge picked out and on the way. One thing at a time, right? After that, we’ll focus on getting Mr. C a used vehicle — but not until my Jeep is paid off in July. Slow and steady.


Yesterday also brought a moment that absolutely made Mr.C’s. day. Alisha called him while she was in Rome. He was over the moon. If you know him, you know he carries a lot of anxiety when family travels outside our usual circle. So hearing her voice, knowing she and Jonathan are safe and enjoying themselves, meant everything. She told him they were on their way to a food tour — which is such an Alicia thing to do. No matter where she travels — cruises, California, New York — she always finds a food tour. I love that she has that “thing” she consistently does. It makes her adventures uniquely hers.


As for today, it’s Thursday, and I’m walking into work determined to simply do my best. I’ve fallen short on my saves lately — and I’ve been honest about that. But today, instead of focusing on numbers alone, I’m focusing on the experience. Every member deserves patience, clarity, and kindness. That part is within my control. If I can give each person a good interaction, then I can walk away knowing I did my part.


And if we have downtime between calls, I am pulling out my journal. I am officially two weeks behind in February, and March is peeking around the corner with absolutely nothing planned. I’m especially motivated because of my journal swap with  Moira. We’ve been exchanging journals for years now. Through her pages, I’ve watched her girls grow up. I’ve read about milestones, hard days, celebrations — life through her eyes. That kind of friendship is rare. This current journal runs from January through the end of May, and while we don’t have rules about what goes in them — daily entries, art pages, lists — I want hers to feel as thoughtful and full as the ones she sends me.


After work, I need to swing by the post office and grab a flat rate mailer. I have the cutest little boy boots for Liam to send to Mellissa  and Trevor, and I’m adding a couple of items for Kyndall too. I may not make it before they close at 4:30, so Saturday morning might be more realistic. Sometimes the to-do list has to wait its turn.


And last night? Total tech fail. I didn’t realize how much I’d been on my tablet at work, and by 6:30 p.m. it was down to 10%. I usually unwind with YouTube, TikTok, or Pinterest, but my tablet basically said, “No ma’am.” Maybe that was my cue to unplug a little.


So here we are. A peach-colored sky. A truck sold. A refrigerator fund started. A daughter calling from across the ocean. A journal waiting to be filled. A Thursday full of opportunity to try again.


Life isn’t perfect, but it’s moving. And sometimes that’s enough.


What’s one small win you’re carrying into today?



Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Wednesday Ramblings

 



           Wednesday Ramblings: Pivot, Push & Pink Skies


I can’t believe it’s already Wednesday. This week is flying by so fast.


On my drive to work this morning around 6:40 a.m., the sky was absolutely breathtaking — layers of blue, pink, and purple blending together like a watercolor painting. It’s one of those quiet moments that makes you pause and just feel grateful to be awake and witnessing it. I’m ready for this day to develop.


I’m still riding the high from such a fun weekend. Saturday was packed in the best way. I had a great time with my co-worker Sheila, and then getting to see Bob Snyder at The Blue Door in Oklahoma City with Nancy was such a treat. There’s just something about live music in an intimate setting that feeds the soul a little differently.


Sunday was supposed to be Mr. C’s early birthday celebration. Since Jonathan and Alicia will be in Italy during his actual birthday, we planned a grill-out at Brody and Savannah’s to celebrate ahead of time. But… real life happened. Lane and Landon (and a few others) ended up sick, so we made the call to postpone. Pivot and evolve, right?


The only downside was that I had already ordered the cupcake cake. But honestly, we just made it work. We picked it up, shared cupcakes with Lane and Landon, and with Brody and Savannah, and turned it into something sweet in a different way. Not what we planned — but still special.


Monday at work, though? Whew. Not my best day.


I’m really going to have to push it because I’m not on track to hit my monthly goal. I still need 60 saves this week, which feels pretty close to impossible for me. But I’m not giving up. I’m going to try very, very hard and just focus on one member at a time. That’s all I can do.


One evening after work — maybe tomorrow — I’m planning to head over to Blake and Jessica’s to see Hattie, Brooks, and Logan. I also need to talk more about the New York trip. Just thinking about that makes me excited.


At home, I’ve been staging Christmas decor, and it’s looking so much better. It’s past time to get it back in closet or out in shop. I still need to take a few totes out to the shop, but getting things organized is helping my stress level. I’ve realized I function so much better when things aren’t sitting on my mental to-do list, quietly nagging at me.


And then there’s my perioral dermatitis. It’s really bothering me right now — itchy, painful, burning when I put anything on it. Besides the medicine Dr. Angie prescribed, I think I’m going to try “zero therapy” on my face. A very gentle, sensitive soap, the medication, and nothing else. No extra products. Just letting my skin calm down and heal. Sometimes less really is more.


So that’s my Wednesday ramble. Beautiful skies. Weekend gratitude. Work pressure. Family pivots. Skin struggles. And still — a thankful heart.


Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. If you’re reading this, I’d love for you to say a quick hi in the comments. I truly appreciate you being here, and I hope you have a blessed and wonderful Wednesday.


Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Flock by Kate Stewart Book Review



                                            Book Report: Flock by Kate Stewart


Flock is a contemporary romance novel that kicks off Kate Stewart’s Ravenhood trilogy, blending steamy relationships with mystery, emotional tension, and morally gray characters. The book was published on May 21, 2024 and spans about 416 pages, introducing readers to a lush small-town setting and fraught, addictive relationships. 


What Flock Is About


At its core, Flock follows Cecelia Horner, a young woman who reluctantly moves to the small town of Triple Falls to fulfill her estranged father’s condition before gaining her inheritance. While she hopes to spend the year quietly working at her father’s factory and then return home, things quickly take a surprising turn. 


On her first day, Cecelia meets Sean, her enigmatic and captivating supervisor. Sean draws her into his world — one filled with secrecy, intense physical attraction, and a tight-knit group of friends who all seem to share hidden bonds. As Cecelia is pulled deeper into their circle, she discovers that nothing in Triple Falls is as simple as it seems — and the secrets the men keep may be far more dangerous than she ever imagined. 


Key Characters


• Cecelia Horner – The story’s protagonist and narrator, Cecelia is driven by a desire to help her mother and reclaim her own independence. Smart and determined, she is also vulnerable as she navigates trust, love, and betrayal in ways that shape her journey of self-discovery. 


• Sean – Charming, mysterious, and magnetic, Sean is the man who pulls Cecelia into the world of the Ravenhood. He’s seductive and alluring, but his opaque motives and secrets add a layer of tension that drives much of the book’s suspense. 


• Dominic – Sean’s best friend, Dominic is darker and more reserved than Sean, and his presence complicates Cecelia’s feelings even more. While protective in some ways, his connection to Sean and the Ravenhood raises questions about loyalty, trust, and desire. 


Alongside these three, additional members of Sean’s inner circle offer camaraderie, mystery, and emotional complexity, helping to round out the story’s rich character dynamics. 


Themes & Style


Flock explores themes of trust versus secrecy, self-worth, and the nature of love and desire. Stewart’s writing veers into dark romance and suspense, creating tension not just from romantic choices but from hidden alliances and risky decisions. The book’s setting — the atmospheric Triple Falls — acts almost like another character, enveloping readers in a sense of place and mood that enhances every twist and revelation. 


Final Thoughts


Ideal for readers who enjoy dark romance with a slow burn, Flock is emotionally charged, layered with compelling characters, and built around intense relationships that keep you turning pages. It’s the kind of story that sparks discussion — not just about who ends up with whom, but about how deeply secrets can shape the ties between people.





Sunday, February 22, 2026

Saturday Shenanigans

 



Saturday Shenanigans & A Surprise Night Out 🎉



Saturday turned out to be one of those “let’s just do all the things” kind of days — and honestly, I loved every minute of it.



A few days ago, my coworker Sheila asked if I wanted to ride with her to Lawton, Oklahoma. I told her yes, of course — but added that I didn’t want to be gone all day because I had a few things I wanted to get done around the house later. She said that was perfectly fine; she just didn’t want to make the trip by herself. And that’s all the convincing I needed.


I left the house at 9:30 a.m., filled up my gas tank, and made it to the Lawton~Duncan Y right on time to meet her. First stop? Hobby Lobby.


Sheila was on a mission to find birthday gifts for her dad, and she did such a good job. She picked out quality paints, paint brushes, a Marine magnet, and the cutest container to package everything together. I love when gifts feel thoughtful like that.


Now let’s talk about what I found. 😄



I bought a 50-piece washi tape set (because clearly I don’t have enough), lots of stickers, and some journaling supplies. I also finally bought the photo storage container with individual boxes inside for organizing stickers. I’ve had my eye on it for months, and since my current container is completely full, I decided it was time. No regrets!



After Hobby Lobby, we ran across the street to Braum’s for Diet Cokes because priorities. Then we stopped at DD’s where I found some socks for Mr. C to tuck into his birthday gifts. We had originally planned to celebrate Sunday, but with a few people feeling under the weather, we pushed it back. Once Alisha and Jonathan get back from Italy 🇮🇹, we’ll grill out and celebrate properly.


Next up was the Asian Market. Sheila grabbed some of her favorite snacks. I didn’t buy anything at first but told her I’d be back for the strawberry ice cream on our way out of town. (Spoiler alert: I absolutely went back for it.)


For lunch, we went to the Asian Fusion Buffet. The food was decent — I stuck with my usual: fried rice, fried potatoes, sweet and sour chicken, sweet and sour soup, plus a few extras. Nothing fancy, just good comfort buffet food.




After lunch, we made one more stop at the Asian Market so Sheila could grab a few more things — and yes, I got that strawberry ice cream. It was so good. Totally worth the second trip. Our final stop was Dollar Tree so she could pick up a few face items, and then we headed home.



But wait… the day wasn’t done.


While we were at the buffet, Nancy called and asked if I wanted to go to The Blue Door in OKC to see Bob Schneider play. She had already bought the tickets! I told her I’d check with Mr. C, and he said, “Sure!” So now she’s picking me up at 6:30 p.m., and we should be home by midnight.


From Hobby Lobby hauls to spontaneous live music plans — I’d say that’s a pretty packed Saturday. And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.