Beyond the Grid~Book Review

                                                                Beyond the Grid

                                           by William Stone

                                               April 16, 2025

Beyond the Grid is a post-EMP survival story that leans more into family, preparedness, and moral choices than nonstop action, which made it an enjoyable read for me. The story follows Mark, one of the main characters, whose world is instantly turned upside down when an EMP detonates. Separated from his wife and daughter, Mark’s immediate mission becomes getting back to them—no matter the obstacles in his path.

Before everything collapsed, Mark made a promise to his brother Jimmy: if anything ever went wrong, he was to come to Jimmy’s off-grid homestead. Jimmy has spent years preparing for exactly this kind of scenario, building a self-sufficient sanctuary several hours away. That promise becomes a lifeline, pulling Mark forward through a landscape where power is gone, communication is cut, and people are forced to show who they really are.

What I appreciated most about this book is that it didn’t rely on excessive violence to move the story along. While there are moments of danger and conflict—as you’d expect in an EMP survival novel—it never felt overwhelming. I tend to skim or scroll past overly graphic fight scenes, and thankfully this book didn’t linger there. Instead, it focused on tension, survival decisions, and the emotional weight of protecting the people you love in a broken world.

The pacing was steady, and the off-grid elements were interesting without becoming too technical. Readers who enjoy preparedness themes will appreciate the realistic look at homesteading, planning, and community after a collapse. At the same time, the book remains accessible to those who are newer to the genre.

The ending genuinely surprised me. Without giving anything away, it didn’t follow the exact path I expected, which added to my overall enjoyment. It felt earned and thoughtful rather than predictable.

Overall, Beyond the Grid was a solid, engaging read. It balances survival, family bonds, and resilience without going overboard on violence. If you enjoy post-apocalyptic stories with heart and a focus on off-grid living, this one is worth picking up.

Celebrating Elizabeth’s Birthday

                                          🎳 Celebrating Elizabeth’s Birthday at the Bowling Alley 🎉

          

There is just something about celebrating a birthday at a bowling alley that never gets old. Maybe it’s the mix of laughter, friendly competition, and comfort food, or maybe it’s the fact that bowling brings everyone together in such an easy, relaxed way. Whatever the reason, it was the perfect place to celebrate Elizabeth’s 57th birthday.

We all met at the Chickasha Bowling Alley at 4:00 PM, ready for an afternoon of bowling and good food. The menu was exactly what you’d hope for—pizza, wings, and mozzarella cheese sticks. Simple, classic, and always a crowd-pleaser. From the moment everyone arrived, the energy felt light and fun. You could tell right away this was going to be one of those gatherings where time flies by.

Elizabeth had a great turnout, with the perfect balance of family and friends. That mix always makes a celebration feel extra special. It wasn’t too crowded, but it also never felt quiet. People were laughing, talking across lanes, cheering each other on, and enjoying being together. It was one of those moments where you stop and think, this is what it’s all about.

We wanted to get Elizabeth a few fun and thoughtful gifts—things she would actually use and enjoy. We picked out two pool floats for her swimming pool, thinking ahead to warmer days and summer afternoons. We also gave her a monogrammed makeup bag filled with lipstick and lip pencils to match. It felt good knowing the gifts were both fun and practical, and she seemed genuinely happy with them. I love giving gifts that fit someone’s lifestyle, not just something that will be tucked away and forgotten.

The bowling itself was a blast. Some people were clearly more competitive than others, but mostly it was about having fun and interacting. I noticed how much everyone was engaging with one another—moving around, chatting between turns, laughing at missed pins, and celebrating strikes like they were professional bowlers. Those moments of connection are what make gatherings memorable.

I also realized something about myself during the evening. I actually felt more social than usual. Truthfully, I tend to get overwhelmed in crowds and often stick close to the people I know best instead of mingling. But this time felt different. I talked more, laughed more, and felt more at ease. Now, I won’t say it had nothing to do with the shot of tequila and two beers I had—but hey, I was living on the edge, wasn’t I? 🤣🍺 Sometimes a little liquid courage doesn’t hurt.

We didn’t get home until after 8:00 PM, which says a lot for us. If we’re out that late, it means we were truly having a good time. Neither one of us likes driving in the dark these days, but the evening was worth it. We came home tired, happy, and full—both from food and from good company.

All in all, it was a wonderful way to celebrate Elizabeth. Good food, good laughs, meaningful gifts, and time spent with people who matter most. Those are the moments I want to remember and hold onto.

Sunday Funday with Cherrie

 Sunday is always a little extra special around here, because it usually means Sunday Funday with my best friend, Cherrie. Sundays are her only day off, so we make it a point to squeeze in lunch, shopping, and plenty of laughter whenever we can—usually a few times a month.

We met at our usual spot near City Hall around 10 a.m. It’s funny how some routines just stick. We’ve parked there for years, and it always feels safe and familiar, like the official starting point of our adventures. From there, we headed to Lawton, Oklahoma, for a few hours of shopping and girl time. Cherrie was on a mission to find birthday gifts for her granddaughter, Ms. B., who is about to turn 7 years old. Such a fun age to shop for!

Our first stop was Golden Corral for lunch. I honestly hadn’t eaten there in several years, but the timing worked out perfectly. They were just pulling breakfast and switching over to lunch, so everything was hot, fresh, and plentiful. That alone felt like a win and gave us the energy boost we needed for the rest of the day.

After lunch, we hit TJ Maxx and Burlington—thankfully right next door to each other, which makes hopping between stores so easy. Then we headed to Academy. I was hoping to find shoes for Lane and Landon as part of their birthday gifts, but unfortunately, they didn’t have the sizes we needed in the brand we were looking for. You win some, you lose some.

Cherrie, however, was having great luck and found several birthday gifts for Ms. B. From there, we popped into JCPenney just to browse. I didn’t find anything I needed, so I walked out empty-handed—and honestly, I’m okay with that.

As we were getting ready to leave, Cherrie suggested we try Shoe Carnival. I hesitated at first, but decided to pull in anyway—and wouldn’t you know it, they had exactly the shoes I wanted for the boys, and they were on sale! That felt like a small victory and totally made my day.

Before leaving Lawton, we made one last (and very necessary) stop at Viridian for drinks. This is always a must for me. I ordered a sweet cream with mocha, and it was exactly what I needed after all that shopping.

Next up was a quick run to Duncan, Oklahoma, to Walmart. I needed to pick up medication for Mr. C. and grab some new lipstick. I’ve used CoverGirl’s 12-hour lip color forever—it’s reliable and comes in so many great shades. While there, I found a few mini-brand “make it mini” food sets on sale and thought Kyndall would enjoy making those with her mom. Cherrie also scored several Barbie toys for Ms. B.

I made it home around 2:30 p.m., just in time to get ready for our next adventure—heading with Mr. C. to Elizabeth’s birthday party at the bowling alley in Chickasha.

Days like this remind me how grateful I am to be able to go, do, and enjoy life the way I do. I never take that for granted.

Saturday at Home

 Saturday Vibes: Cold Weather, Cozy Moments, and Taking Care of Business

Saturday finally arrived, and let me tell you—I was so glad to make it to the weekend. There’s just something about waking up without an alarm that instantly sets the tone for the day. I woke up around 7:00 a.m., which felt like sleeping in, and the extra rest was exactly what I needed.

I didn’t have much planned today, which honestly made it even better. The only real errand on the agenda was a drive to Marlow, Oklahoma, to stop by the bank and deposit some money. Of course, no trip into town is complete without food involved, so we planned a Sonic stop for breakfast burritos and drinks. I’m hoping Luther was feeling generous and willing to be my driver—because I truly enjoy being the passenger and just riding along.

We headed out around 9:00 a.m., and wow—winter definitely showed up today. It was around 27 degrees, which made me extra thankful that staying inside was an option for the rest of the day. Once we were back home, I happily settled in where it was warm and cozy.

One of my favorite plans for the day was working in my junk journal for my swap with Moira. I was genuinely excited when she asked if I wanted to do another journal swap. It’s such a fun and creative process, and I love pouring little bits of myself into the pages.

We also had the TV on throughout the day and watched a mix of shows, including Landman, Sister Wives, Wander, and a few true crime stories. Somewhere in between all of that, I carved out some quiet time to read on my Kindle, which felt like the perfect balance to the day.

I also took care of some grown-up business—something I’m pretty proud of. I called Walmart about a delayed package for Mr. C. The AI assistant wasn’t helpful at all, so I requested a representative and ended up speaking with Max, who was incredible. Not only did he issue a refund, but he also gave us a $10 credit off a $15 purchase. The refund was only $28, but hey—money is money, and at least it wasn’t lost.

Last night, I also called Amazon about a package that should have been delivered back on December 22, 2025. That one was refunded too—$25. It felt really good to make the calls and handle business instead of putting it off.

Tonight, we’re winding down by watching the Denver Broncos play football against the Buffalo Bills. They’re playing in Denver, Colorado, and it feels like the perfect way to end a low-key Saturday.

Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing a little piece of my day with me. I hope to see you again soon!

Survival on Shell Mountain – Book Review

         

Finally Friday!

It’s Finally Friday!

It is finally Friday! 🙌 And let me just say—I am so grateful that this workweek is nearly at the end.

Today already feels like a win because I’m leaving work at 3:00 p.m. so I can head over to Lawton to pick up my new glasses from Dr. Head’s Family Vision Eye Clinic. I went with a totally different style than I usually choose, which is a little out of my comfort zone… but I’m excited to see how they look on my face. The drive should take about 35–40 minutes, so I’m planning to get there as soon as I can, grab my glasses, and keep things moving.

After that, I want to stop by JCPenney to see if they have any good clearance finds. I’m always on the lookout for items I can tuck away for Christmas or birthday gifts throughout the year. I also still need to find a gift for Elizabeth’s birthday, which we’ll be celebrating Sunday at the bowling alley in Chickasha, so I’m hoping I’ll stumble across something perfect while I’m there.

Once I get home this evening, supper will be simple—Luther and I are having salads. We’re slowly trying to eat better, and honestly, that’s something we’ll probably be working on for the rest of our lives. I truly admire people who can stick to a rigid health and fitness routine, but that’s just not who I am—and that’s okay.

I don’t have many plans for the weekend, and I’m perfectly fine with that. Saturday is supposed to be really cold, so I’m planning on staying home with my husband and maybe catching up on a few TV series we’re behind on… or possibly watching a new-to-us movie or two. And no, I’m not even going to try to talk him into a Hallmark movie—even though y’all know that’s my favorite, no matter the season. 😉

Sunday will be a little more active. I plan to get together with Cherrie, and I need to swing by Walmart in Duncan to pick up Luther’s medications. I’d also like to look for a couple of birthday gifts for Lane and Landon since their party will be at Chuck E. Cheese soon.

Overall, though, I think it’s going to be an easy, restful weekend—starting this evening when I walk back into the house.

I’m also really excited that I’m off work on Monday with no plans made at all. While this would have been a great time to make a quick trip to see Trevor and Melissa, I’m trying to stay focused on saving money with my New York City trip coming up. I really want to avoid putting too much on my credit cards, so staying put feels like the right choice right now.

Anyway, that’s about all that’s on my mind this morning as I head into work. It’s 7:00 a.m., and my goal for today is to stay focused, serve each of my members well, and hit my daily saves goal. I’ve thought about moving to a different department, but I really like the saves bonus we get when members are retained for two months—it makes a difference.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today. I hope you have a wonderful Friday! If you feel like it, I’d love for you to leave a quick comment—even just a simple “hi.” If you have a question for me or any suggestions for my blog, I’m always open to hearing them. I truly enjoy the interaction. 💛

Have a blessed day!

Fudge Around and Find Out Book Review

                                Fudge Around and Find Out 

By Ember Davis

Published November 20, 2022

Genre: Romance

There’s just something irresistible about a romance set in a bakery, and Fudge Around and Find Out delivers that cozy charm in the sweetest way possible. I read this book in just two evenings, and honestly, it was the perfect blend of lighthearted romance, holiday vibes, and baked-goods temptation.

The story centers around Raegan, who works at the bakery Eclair Wishes—a place that feels warm, bustling, and full of sugary comfort, especially during the hectic Christmas season. While everyone around her is leaning into holiday cheer, Raegan struggles with Christmas, feeling that it has become far too commercialized. That inner conflict made her feel relatable and real, especially in a season that can be overwhelming instead of joyful for many people.

Enter Evan, a regular customer at the bakery with a serious sweet tooth—or so it seems. It quickly becomes clear that his favorite treat isn’t just what’s behind the glass case, but Raegan herself. Evan is thoughtful, kind, and quietly persistent in the best way. He’s drawn to Raegan’s spirit and genuinely wants to make her happy, especially during a season she doesn’t particularly love. Watching his affection unfold was one of my favorite parts of the book.

What really worked for me was the balance. The romance never felt rushed, but it also didn’t drag. The bakery setting added warmth and charm without overpowering the love story, and the Christmas backdrop enhanced the emotional stakes rather than turning the book into an over-the-top holiday cliché. The dialogue felt natural, the pacing was smooth, and the story had just enough depth to keep it engaging while still being an easy, feel-good read.

Overall, Fudge Around and Find Out is a sweet, cozy romance that pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee—or maybe a pastry. If you enjoy small-town vibes, bakery settings, and gentle holiday romance, this book is absolutely worth picking up. It’s charming, heartwarming, and leaves you smiling long after the last page.