Taulman Times: January 2018

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's that time of year again ... time for Lake Superior University to present a list of words (or phrases) they'd like to see banished (for over-use, mis-use, or general uselessness) in 2018. This year's vote getters are -- unpack, dish (as in 'dish out the latest rumor'), pre-owned, onboarding/offboarding, nothingsburger, let that sink in, let me as you this, impactful, cofefe, drill down, fake news, hot water heater (hot water doesn't need to be heated), and gig economy. Which one of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word not on the list you'd like to add?

Shut the Front Door. I cannot stand it when someone says that. It makes them sound so stupid.

What's something you need to get rid of in the new year?

Lack of Gratitude

Where do you feel stuck?

It's a new year! I don't feel stuck. Now, ask me again in a couple of months and I might have a different answer. But today? Anything is possible.

January is National Soup Month. When did you last have a bowl of soup? Was it made from scratch or from a can? Your favorite canned soup? Your favorite soup to make from scratch on a cold winter's day?

I made homemade chicken and noodles two nights ago, but I didn't eat any. The last soup I had would have probably been broccoli cheddar from Panera. Yum! I love that soup! My favorite canned soup is good ol' Campbell's bean with bacon. And I like to make my deceased mother-in-law's "homemade" American Stew if I am going to make something from "scratch" (it's many cans of things, so I am not sure how much it qualifies as from scratch).

Tell us one thing you're looking forward to in 2018.

I am looking forward to doing little bits of traveling in the states. I will be going to San Antonio (which is always fun) a couple of times when Dawson graduates from USAF Basic Training and AIT. Then I will definitely go visit him wherever he gets stationed. We also have a trip planned to Chicago over 4th of July for National Stuttering Conference. I have been to both of these cities, but am looking forward to experiencing them with Eli and Brynne.

Insert your own random thought here.

This weekend I get to go car shopping! I have had my 2003 Chevy Suburban (The "Burb") since two months after Brynne was born. I have owned it as long as I have owned her! It has taken us on 200,000+ miles of family trips and everyday errands. And I am going to miss her. We aren't getting rid of her, though, because she really still is such a solid car (and when washed, is still pretty good looking!) But it is time. It is time for something smaller, more economical, and shinier! I am looking at Subaru Outbacks for dependability, gas mileage, and overall best value in a small SUV. Obviously, I am not someone who needs a new car very often since I have had my current one for 12 years, but I am so excited to get a new one!!

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Books Read in 2017

I wouldn't say that 2017 was my best reading year. I was 2 books shy of my 50 book goal, which is actually pretty good considering the chaos that ensued in my life this past year. I am, actually, kind of surprised I read as many books as I did.

In addition to not reading my numbers goal, I read a lot of bad books this year. I think I have learned that I just like different things than the general population and if a book is highly recommended, chances are I am not going to like it.

I have reset my 2018 reading goal to 50 books. I am hoping for a great year of reading!

(The following graphic shows all the books I read in 2017. It's formatting is weird, but it's better than adding photos of all of these books one-by-one and listing them all out by hand.)

This is my journey in books for 2017!

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