Wednesday, January 17, 2024

The moving mistakes you will want to avoid

There is no doubt that moving house is a stressful and often emotional process to go through.
There are lots of tasks that need to be completed, so it is inevitable that people make mistakes
when moving home (especially as people do not generally move often). It is helpful to be aware of what these common mistakes are so that you know how you can avoid them. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can simplify the moving process and increase your chances of settling quickly. Things rarely go exactly according to plan, but you will want to avoid these mistakes when moving home.

No Plan
The most common mistake that people make is not creating a plan. As mentioned, there are many tasks involved in moving home, and you do not want to leave everything until the last minute. Fortunately, you can find handy checklists online that will break down each task and tell you what needs to be completed and by when.

Not Using Professional Removal Companies
It is easy to see why people will try to move everything across themselves, but this can create a lot more work and stress than is needed. Professional removal companies can handle the loading, transport, and unloading of all of your possessions, which is the hardest part of the move. With professionals taking care of the heavy lifting, you can turn your attention to other aspects of the move. You can also save money by comparing quotes from long-distance movers online. You can get a quote from several reputable companies to find the best option for your budget while ensuring that you are using a trusted company.

No Inventory
Another common mistake is not taking an inventory. You want to make sure that all of your possessions arrive safely in the new home, so you should create a list of each item and note what box they are in - this can also make it much easier to unpack.

Rushing The Move
Many people will try to complete a move in just a few hours, but this creates a huge amount of pressure and stress. Instead, you should try to spread the move out and take your time. This can significantly reduce stress and ensure you can take time with each task. You could even take a few days to get everything done - you can always put possessions into storage if needed.

Not Establishing A Budget
Finally, you should always set a budget when moving home. There are numerous costs involved, so these can quickly add up if you do not have a figure in mind. You do not want to add financial stress on top of the stress of moving, so try to control your spending during the moving process with a bit of a buffer.

These are common mistakes that you will want to avoid when moving home. The process of moving home will always be difficult and stressful, but you can simplify the process and settle quickly when you avoid these mistakes.
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This post was written with Life According to Steph readers in mind

Sunday, December 31, 2023

December 2023 Reads



Here we are at the end of the year again. I finished a book last night and likely won't start one today. 

What I read in December

Engrossing Reads
The Shark (Forgotten Files #1) by Mary Burton - I devoured this one, which is always a happy thing when you've purchased it because you got a series book from Netgalley and it is against your religion to read a second when you know there's a first. Kindle copy

The Dollmaker (Forgotten Files #2) by Mary Burton - I enjoy the characters and setting of this and the previous Forgotten Files - I would read more of them! Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review


Face Her Fear (Detective Josie Quinn #19) by Lisa Regan - Great job by Regan while taking her series outside of a typical setting - I am not always into that but I think it worked here and serves as a good clear the air bridge for the transition of the Denton PD core team. Thanks to Netgalley and Boukouture for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review - since this series is a favorite, I also pre-ordered a copy! Book publishes January 30

The Weight of Water by W.A. Schwartz - Rounded up from a 3.5 - I liked this even though it was overfilled with things during the 1970s POVs that ended up superfluous to the story which might have been better spent providing more context to some of the players and depth in general in the other two timelines around Katrina and present day. Also, this is sand and not dirt on my feet which drives MFD crazy but sand doesn't bother me LOL Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Passed the Time Just Fine
The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson - Started slowly and picked up around the middle. Layered and interesting with possibly like one or two extraneous plot threads that could be thinned to make the pacing better. Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes Feb 20

Things that Cause Inappropriate Happiness by Danila Botha - I don't always read short stories, but when I do I like them to be a little on edge and these were - you can take that a number of ways and it's meant a number of ways. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, collection publishes April 1

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears - Sound the alarm as the woman who never listens to books has listened to a book thanks to several multi-car accidents on a rainy December Sunday returning to the shore. The book itself did not set anything on fire, but I would set the possessions of Britney's parents and sister on fire without thinking twice. These people are abusive, criminal grifters and this woman paid the price while the world watched. Michelle Williams was an excellent narrator except I was caught up on tour. My accent means tour rhymes with your. Michelle says too-or. Spotify free audible

Keep Your Friends Close by Leah Konen - A super quick read that felt a tad bit off-center? I would have liked it more I think if it was primarily Willa's POV. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes Feb 20

The Magic All Around by Jennifer Moorman - Nothing wrong with a little bit of magic! This didn't pick up for me until about halfway through, so something to know going in if you are not in the mindset for that. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes January 16

The Guest by B.A. Paris - Did I not say the last time I read one of their books that I should stop? I should have stuck. These characters are maddening. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review - book publishes Feb 20

Not for Me

Please Tell Me by Mike Omer - Like, did Mike Omer actually write this? The writing itself was awful, the pacing was off, and the story was not good. Kindle first reads

Silent Girls (Agent Tori Hunter #1) by Roger Stelljes - A good concept. My beef with this book is mostly editorial issues, both for grammar and content. I might give another in the series a go to see if it was just poor timing for me on this one, and if I can get over using boisterously twice in the span of three pages. LOL why am I like this. Kindle book

Did Not Finish

The Seafarer's Secret by Carol Ann Collins - Netgalley, publishes January 30

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What have you been reading?

SMD

Thursday, November 30, 2023

November 2023 Reads



What I read in November

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! 

As we are in a buying season, I wanted to say out loud again please avoid buying books from Amazon unless they are unavailable elsewhere. Our indie bookstores need us if we're buying books, and Amazon does not ever need our book money. Buying books from Amazon or Target is killing the small local bookstores. If you are not near a local bookshop or can't get there for whatever reason, you can order on bookshop.org and choose a bookstore to support, or just have your purchase support a small bookstore in general as every purchase donates money to local bookstores. Buying from a small shop will cost you a few extra dollars and/or extra shipping, but it keeps bookstores alive. 

Purchasing books from Amazon kills bookstores, flat out. Here's a little more info on that.

If you're not buying but are reading (which is what I'm doing most of the time), there's also my lifelong favorite the local library - it is free for every single person and it is never too late to get a library card. You can also check out Netgalley for advanced copies.

Thanks for coming to my Don't Buy Books from Amazon or Target TED Talk.

Engrossing Reads

The Locked Door by Freida McFadden - A yearly shore rental guest dropped a boatload of Frieda McFadden books off to me in October and I've just started making my way through them now. I feel sort of like they are an assignment? LOL I've avoided this author thus far, not sure why. I liked this one. Paperback, gifted

'Till New Year's Day by Breonna Brownlee - As you all know by now, I am not a standard romance reader but I do like to pepper mysteries and lit fiction with romance and I love to support a fellow blogger (am I a former blogger at this point?). This novella was the perfect hour read before bed for me. Also loved Bre's novel Two Too Many - check that out if you're looking! Kindle, purchased

The Spy Coast (The Martini Club #1) by Tess Gerritsen - That rare Amazon First or whatever they're calling the monthly free book now that actually slaps. I don't know what future ones in the series might be like but I'll try them if she writes them because I like the characters assembled here. Also loving me some main characters in their 60s and beyond who are still actively living not solely reflecting on the lives they've already lived. Well done, Tess. Free Amazon First or whatever reads, digital 

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins - Quick and enjoyable. One of those layered try to figure it out reads with a few red herrings that were clever. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes January 9

The Lies You Wrote (Raisa Susanto #1) by Brianna Labuskes - I didn't see that coming. I'm glad to see this is a #1 - I liked Raisa and will definitely read more, hoping this becomes a series. I wouldn't mind seeing Kilkenny as the supporting character in future books. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes January 1

Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger - I got sucked right into this - quick moving and a little scary at times - one of those books that is not winning any literary accolades but is getting an A+ for keeping me invested Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

All the Little Truths (Finley O'Sullivan #3) by Debra Webb I’ve read all three in the past few weeks and have really come to love these characters. The books are simultaneously easy and intense and kudos to Webb for pulling that off. I’d definitely read more of these Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett - Already sung about this from the rooftops in Instagram stories, but big, big love for this book despite standardly not having big love for Ann's novels. I read a copy from the library and then bought myself a copy for Christmas. As I get older, I buy less physical books with plans to keep them because I do not want shelves and shelves of books I didn't love - I only want to keep the ones I really loved. This was purchased with plans to keep. OCNJ library hardcover, now own a hard cover copy


Passed the Time Just Fine

Never Lie by Freida McFadden - The thing about these is that I can read them in a few hours, which is good? Totally fine way to pass a few hours. Paperback, gifted

Only If You're Lucky by Stacy Willingham - I'd clock it at a four, rounded up from 3.5, if we're going by a five star standard. Very passable and readable, but I did not devour this like I did her other two novels, probably because this was very slow out of the gate and also read younger to me and also had a similar setting to a book I just read and loved. I liked how things tied together throughout. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes January 16

Today Tonight Forever by Madeline Kay Sneed - Whew! I knew nothing about this going in and for some reason thought this was a light romance and it was absolutely not LOL. It was a lot. Some heavy AF topics in here, people dealing with deep shit that felt a little surface at times because there was so much going on, to go in depth on all of it would have been like three books. I was not prepared.
I loved the introspection of each character and the bits of overlapping perspective in POV shifts. Also loved the Deacon and Mollie characters immediately and fiercely. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Not For Me**
**This usually means if I knew now what I knew before I started it, I would not pick the book up in the first place
 
Held: A Novel by Anne Michaels - First, this book is absolutely beautiful in both its writing and its undercurrent of despair. Second, it begins after WWI and I tend to avoid that time period for some reason? It does span many years after though. Third, it reads like a college lit assignment and I feel like I should be sitting around with others trying to discuss themes and appear intelligent. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes January 30

What We Kept to Ourselves by Nancy Jooyoun Kim - Again, beautifully and carefully written. Again, undercurrent of depressing and despair. I’d read a whole book focused entirely on Sunny. The plot, eh, the kids, eh, husband, eh. The best parts of the book were the Sunny parts. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

The Ex by Freida McFadden - What the hell was this, really. At the end I was like say what now? You want me to think what happened? Paperback, gifted

The Perfect Son by Freida McFadden - This was a little too boring and obvious for me and felt like a phone-in. Paperback, gifted

Did Not Finish

Clover Hendry's Day Off by Beth Morrey - Netgalley, publishes January 30


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What have you been reading?

SMD

Monday, November 20, 2023

snippets of the weekend 11.20.2023

To wake up on a Friday in mid-November and have it be 60 some degrees is insane and amazing. I had to take a walk down to the beach before work. I had massive tech issues Friday and had to call Xfinity which made me rage. I got my nails painted during that though - this is the red from this year's OPI Holiday Collection - Rebel without a Clause. It's a really good red.

After work walk was a good one. Mr. Rooney ends up in a bag on the way back when we walk far, which we did Friday. We had soup for dinner and watched reruns of The Office. 
We got going early on Saturday for a fun day along Route 9. We hit Treasures Past first, where I picked up two tables for bedsides that have a bookshelf under them. I got one from there last year and was thrilled to walk in 20 minutes after they opened to find these for $12 each. A freaking steal, and they were just dropped off that morning. I will paint them as I did with the one I got last year. 

Next we popped into CoHo Antiques before heading on to historic Cold Spring Village - we thought the grounds were open despite the buildings being closed but that was not the case. We took a quick walk around the perimeter before heading out again to Treehouse Antiques of Cape May. Wonderful owners, great conversation, and two mid century mod dining chairs I am obsessed with. I only wish there were two more! We popped in to Aldi on the way back and that was that. A successful day out!
When we got back, we took a family walk to the beach then came home to watch Beckham. Doesn't Mr. Rooney look like a muppet dog?

Sunday MFD headed back to Philly and I had a nice slow Sunday - lots of coffee, read a book, took a long walk in the afternoon that included a Kohr Bros cinnamon/pumpkin twist, thundering waves, surf watch, and sunshine. I made steamed broccoli and salmon for dinner and stayed up later than normal watching Bakeoff. 


weekending reels on Instagram - current favorite weekend look back mode.










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