From December back to June: My Week in W's

    

 Welcome to my blog. On Saturdays I recap the week by asking then answering a series of W questions. I always enjoy reading yours in the comments too. Last week we dropped to frigid temperatures, well below freezing. Today, we won't even need long sleeves. 

What's Top of Mind:

     So much on my mind, but I'm trying to compartmentalize and not merge issues. Work has just become more and more challenging. I don't know how to keep up anymore, and I don't know how members of my team can keep up. Overall home life is good, but I feel like we've got too many projects and not enough time or motivation to get things done. My kids are always top of mind. My younger daughter had a homesickness moment on Tuesday, plus had a horrible cold. My son has been short on communication, but finally responded after his sister let him know I was getting worried. My middle child is juggling and managing a lot at work, her non-profit, personal relationships, being a new home owner, and the dog, plus her own health needs. Extended family have a variety of health issues. Then, there's the green eyed monster, seeing all the happy happy extended families of my family, friends, and aquaintences and I get blue. Rolled all together, it's a lot to send me into the gray. But, I'm trying to see each as individual components of life, none of which make or break my overall life quality. I try to then appreciate all I have. 

Homemade toys, bought toys, bones
aren't enough to keep him busy some days!

Where I've been:

     Besides my daughter's and the conference, I was a home body the rest of the week. I like the rythm of getting up early, a little dog time, coffee, logging in to handle anything that came in the night before or to set up the day. DH and I tag team to get showers, then I go for a well needed long walk. I have to vary that depending on meetings, but it's 30 minutes through and around the park, serpentine style, anytime between 7:30 and 8:45, before DH leaves for work. So that's where I've mostly been, lots of walks in the park, as this happens later in the day as well. 

     

Where I’m going: 

     We have plans to meet friends out for dinner and drinks. They're going a bit early and with the unseasonably warm weather, get a coveted patio table. My daughter and are are going to work on more socialization with the puppy and walk downtown by the river, then stop in the brewery. I think I'll go to the library too sometime this weekend. That was very calming a few weeks back. It's the last local farmers market, but last week was less farmer and more just selling stuff. I might stop just because its the last.  DH are going to church, then hopefully, tackling at least one or two projects I lamented about above. 

What I'm eating:

     I roasted a massive pan of vegetables that we had over rice on Wednesday with chicken sandwiches. Last night they went into a pasta prima vera, 2/3rds topped with mozzarella, but the rest left plant based so I'd have things my daughter would eat. Thursday was just simple grilled cheese and Trader Joe tomato red pepper soup, but it hit the spot.

What I’m watching:

     Talk about routine, I've turned into my parents. With that rythm, I turn the 5:30 and 6:30 news on, followed by Wheel of Fortune. It seems to work for a time center to transition from the work day to the dogs needs. I usually still am wrapping a few things up for work though after the walk and feeding dog or dogs. 

What I’m reading:

     The book we picked for the November book club meet up is The All Girls Filling Station Last Reunion. I think it will be a light book before heading into the holiday busy season. I had meant to bring it on the work trip but forgot. Therefore, it's not yet started. 

What I’m listening to:

     Yesterday I had no meetings so it was a 100% day to try and catch up. I streamed BBC World Service in the morning, but used the afternoon for a series of required online trainings. Other sounds I heard come with weirdness. We think our next door neighbors 24 year old son is sleeping in his beat up truck parked outside their house. Last weekend when it was so cold, the loud muffler car started up every two hours, ran for 10-15 minutes, then stopped. When I walked the dog yesterday, I'm sure I saw someone laying on the bench seat. We aren't sure what to do about this, or if we should do anything. DH talked to another neighbor with concerns. Obviously it's a noise issue being woke up throughout the night, but I'm worried about what's going on. It's just an icky issue, and do we approach to try and offer resources? The house is plenty big, even with their abundant number of children, even for just crashing on the floor, so this makes no sense to us. 

     It was bitter cold last weekend and it's going to get cold again next week. He has a young woman and dog with him sometimes, and I see them walking in the neighborhood and park, but don't think I've ever noticed them coming from or going in the house. Besides weird, its a safety issue. Someone's going to get creeped out, the neighborhood is a very family centered one, filled with kids, and act on perceived danger. If his own family, though it may be his ass of a step dad, won't let him stay in the house, what issues might there be?

 What I’m planning:

     Now that we have the day and overnight accomodations sorted, I'm looking for activities and places to visit for our sisters weekend. I found a winery that is hosting a cheese and chocolate weekend, plus two small towns that might be fun to explore. Mostly, we'll play cards and have yummy food and drinks at night. That's the weekend grandpup is getting neutered, so DH won't have two dogs to handle. 

Who needs a good slap:

     I'm too tired to slap anyone. Friday was frustrating with two different unsolicited door knocks interrupting my work day and getting the dogs riled up. I get people have jobs, but I'm thinking of posting a no solicitation of any kind sign. One though was I think a home visitor looking for the house next door. Several children have special needs. I'm speculating at why she was going there. Maybe not a slap but a finger shake.

Who Deserves Knuck's (Fist Bump):  

     I give myself a bit of kudos for being heads down and plugging through my major to do list at work  yesterday. Yeah me. 

What’s making me smile:

     You all make me smile. The soup post was fun for me. I like reading others blogs. 

     That's what I got this week. The next four weeks leading to Thanksgiving are pretty packed with work projects and weekend commitments. This weekend, I have no agenda ( though want to be productive) and take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather.  My daughter is going to help me with more declutter and purging too, and I so appreciate her. That's a  wrap, but would love to hear from you.