Friday Whatever's

  

     Yet another week of 2020 has sped on by. News and no news, fits and temper tantrums, political malarkey, and  thinking about family and friends and how the heck  we will all come out of this year (and most likely next year) unscathed. To capture my recent thoughts, here's my W's for the week that was...interesting.

What's top of mind: We are now 12 days from presumably knowing if the Sh((^$!!t Show in Washington will be coming to an end. I'll be following a lot of House and Senate races just as closely. Really though, I'm trying to not let the presidential race, the Supreme Court hearings, and all the other politics not consume me, but oh how I hope to know the country is taking positive steps come November 4th.

Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years is on my mind. We are planning a Zoom call with DH's family to talk about and plan the holiday season. While just days on the calendar for many, in our families, there is so much emphasis on physical presence, we really need to manage expectations. While different in my family since my parents are no longer with us, my sisters and I are still making sure to coordinate and make sure everyone in the family feels welcome and included regardless of no big get togethers. 

Where I've been: Big outings in the last week were the minimalist farmers market, and the apple orchard/pumpkin patch. Interesting regional price difference to share. Pumpkins were $0.40 per pound at our local farm. I was watching a YouTube vlog where the mom and daughter (just like us) did the same thing  outside the Boston area. Pumpkins were $0.75 a pound! For you math geeks like me, that is 87.5% more expensive! For cuteness factor, I wouldn't say the  rural Boston Farm had anything more going on than our farm. Props to Minnesota farmers and sharing their places with all of us. I suppose it is supply and demand-we have many many places, all wonderful, to pick apples and choose your own pumpkin. Weigh in if you are from the east coast. 

Where I'm going: I honestly don't know if I will go anywhere other than walks with the dog for the next week. Wait-I do have something to pick up at Kohl's if my daughter can't for me, but that will be a quick stop to customer service and out. I have a hefty list of things that need done-isn't that always true with most of us, and admittedly, a nap or two this weekend. 

What I'm watching: I'll admit it. I've been back on the Hallmark Channel. I watched a sappy  movie on Sunday about a young couple who had a relative show up to claim  part of the inheritance of a B and B they had just refurbished, of course, weeks before their wedding. I guess this is one of a series of movies featuring this couple, originally two city slickers that ended up in the small town and stayed. A couple days later, I caught the tale end of a movie about a country  western aspiring singer, caught in between a song writer, and a  country star and of course her own dreams. It actually was a bit different than some, and not as simplistic. I guess starting Sunday, Christmas movies begin.  . 

What I'm reading: I perhaps could have included this in the Thrifty Thursday, at least in the Time section because it is not a resource savings, and probably not a money savings because we had long cancelled our subscription. DH answered the house phone a few weeks ago, expecting yet another political call. It was a survey taker, and after he answered a few questions, they offered him a free three year subscription to the St Paul Pioneer Press, Sunday and Thursday editions. Now I have been back in the habit the last few weeks reading the Sunday newspaper, with an actual physical newspaper. 

What I'm listening to:   For the last several years, in partnership with other organizations, we've had a national technical assistance contract to provide consultation on  improving equity and access to early childhood systems. We had a virtual meeting this week and in preparation, we were to listen to the first three podcasts to Oprah's Book Club  which discussed Isabel Wilkerson's book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent. Well, I'm not stopping at the first three, and have the book on order from the library. It's been odd listening to the pod casts without reading the book, but I think I'm getting a pretty good  understanding of the contents and the layers and historical context for racism and classism, and how those constructs still are manifested today.

What I'm eating: I feel like we have been ravenous lately-colder weather perhaps? We had a huge Take and Bake Pizza on Sunday, and I was gladly eating the leftovers on Monday and Tuesday, and thought there was still  leftovers on Tuesday night. Lunch time comes on Wednesday, and I was going to finish it off. I think I've shared before, but I love leftover pizza for my lunch. Well, I was quite down in  the face to learn it was gone! DH had eaten it for breakfast Wednesday morning. Well, fair is fair-I did have it two days for lunch, but I don't think he appreciates leftover pizza the way I do. 

Who I'm paying attention to:  Elections and candidates aside, this is a tough one to  answer this week. No one has come top of mind in celebrity circles, and enough on politics. I guess I am paying attention to the people in my life.

What I'm planning:  We are planning a Zoom call with DH's family either Sunday or Tuesday night to talk about and plan the holiday season. I initiated it with DH's sister, and she sent out the e-mail after talking to their mom. We're in agreement that this year the get togethers will need to look different, but know this is not going to go over well with my mother-in-law. We will likely split the holidays up, and each of us have her over or bring  a meal to her house, but spread out. She has been attending  church, under the rules established,  and spending time with my BIL's family, whose kids go to school and are in sports and other youth activities. It will be sad to not be all together, especially with a new baby in the family, but  many families are spread out year to year all the time. 

     My life will be slower, yet again, due to the stupid snow and cold coming unseasonably early. A lot melted after the Tuesday dump and if the weather can normalize a bit, maybe we'll recapture some fall. The plows didn't even really come out for this one in our neighborhood, despite a good six inches on the ground. That gives me hope that maybe we'll get some more weather for  fall walks (without leaves on the trees), bon fires, and maybe a friendly drink or two with friends and family outside. Please share anything that's up in your life.