What Ana Does

As in the last few years, I'm always aiming for 100 books (including audiobooks) read each year. I like having a goal to strive for while doing something I enjoy (reading!). And, as my latest post details, I read most nights before bed, and listen to audiobooks during mindless tasks at work or when I'm driving, so the number is achievable with my daily routine.   My 2024 TOTAL books read is ... 104 books and audiobooks! This was the year of cowboy rancher books, more historical romance (some rereads of longtime favorites) and some fun, very-light mysteries. It's hard to pick my favorite by  Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage book, Folk Around and Find Out by Penny Reid and The Riley Thorne Series were standouts with characters I still think about. Honorable mention to Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey and Bride by Ally Hazelwood for being the spiciest but also the most heartstrings-pulling of the group.  Also to note: Not listed in my annual total is my Kindle Reading To...

When we last saw the back hallway (AKA boot room) it looked pretty good. Lots of hooks, new floor, fun gallery art. But the issues were many: I wanted a wood element to warm up the space. The new shelf was the wrong color ... but really it was the walls that were the wrong. They were just "off" the blue cabinet color.  So, obviously something had to be done. And with Leah off to college, I needed a 1-weekend doable DIY project that I could focus on.  Off to Lowes for $200 worth of shiplap and new pine boards for the hook rails.  Demo started! All the rails came down easily. The wall to the right of the garage door (on the left side of this photo) needed to go white, so I primed that a few times to cover over the erroneous blue.  Shiplap install time! Went up pretty quickly once I started chopping. I wish those half pieces/cuts were on the bottom of the wall, instead of the top, but I'll know better for next time!  I put three coats of the ("SW: Denim") blue pain...

I'll just admit it: I get a great night sleep.  Even as a upper-40ish perimenopausal lady, I sleep well most nights and I know this is special because most of my friends complain about their poor sleep. I suspect it's mostly on them, because, when asked, they're clearly not prioritizing the habits that will help them. And with just a few tweaks and some focus, they'd sleep better. But do you ever notice some people make "I'm a poor sleeper" just part of their personality and they don't really care to change?  Anyway, I'm documenting all my sleep secrets here because maybe you're doing it wrong. And maybe you want to sleep better.    First, do the stuff everyone says to do, because these habits are  obvious and they work.  Stop eating after 8pm (or 7pm, if I'm really paying attention). Go to bed just a teeny bit hungry. If your body is digesting, it might be hard to fall asleep and stay asleep, too.  Stop drinking anything after 8pm, too. ...