Adventures on Friday-In W's

      

     Nah, I don't really have any adventures but it is time for my weekly wrap up, done in question form. I need to do this quick as I overslept this morning and will answer why in the headings to come. So without further thought, here is my week in W's. . 

What's top of mind:  DH and I had out Pfizer Boosters. I have more arm soreness than I remember with the last one, and did I sleep hard last night-and way past when my body normally wakes me up! Otherwise, we both feel fine. Now that I am up and moving, I don't even feel groggy or fatigued, so hoping that was the bulk of my side effects.  

Where I've been: Just now, a gust of wind truly howled. It's 38 degrees this morning, and I had a blast of cold taking pup out. Tuesday when it was so cold when I went to vote, I decided enough was enough and I needed a warm fall jacket. My daughter went with me, and we ended up just stopping at Walmart as I had been looking for  second hand or trying to make due for weeks. I'm happy for the warner hooded jacket, and while I technically broke my challenge of not buying any brand new clothes after the two dresses for weddings, sometimes not all challenges are meant to be met. I did a valiant effort looking for second hand or making do, but these old bones need warmth, but not yet the warmth of my winter coat. I can guarantee I'll have this coat, unless I put on a lot of weight (part of the issue was jackets I had that were already snug, really were uncomfortable now with shifting weight, even if I haven't gained.)

     The other outing  was to Sam's Club. I went ahead and purchased the one year membership for the $19.99 price,with free cupcakes and a rotisserie chicken. I could give DD2 the  other membership card. I showed some restraint, but still managed to spend $98, in a low spend challenge month, though some was household items. DH is well positioned for snacks for his desk and grab and go breakfast items like instant oatmeal and yogurt, and we've got at least two week sof deli meat and cheese that I won't put on my list Sunday. We're going to track over the course of the year and see if we think it works out to save over $50, the price the membership will be to renew. They were out of rotisserie chickens by the time we got there and that is not something my daughter would pick up, so I'll  pick up next week when I am out and about on my week off of work.We haven't had a membership in over 10 years, letting it expire after  the final big use, DH's parents 50th wedding anniversary/combined 70th birthday party 11 years ago. If you have small household like ours, tell me if you think a Sam's or Costco membership is worth it to you. I can see it will be good for cabin weekends and stocking up for summer and for the holidays.

Where I'm going: It's my sister's weekend, so I'll be up to all kinds of shenanigans. Well, we're pretty tame really. We're starting with breakfast then on to shopping, and browsing, and chatting, and liley a happy hour drink. We're meeting up with cousins for supper and card playing. We no longer are going to the cabin, so likely will just be at the cousins for the night. I think no one wanted to (or probably should) drive after supper and cards! 

What I'm reading: In my effort to shave grocery spending, I've once again just gone to the recipe areas of the Tightwad Gazette, looking for  some of the "universal" recipes she has noted. Muffins and casseroles stand out and they give me ideas of combinations we might like. I bought a huge punnet of sliced mushrooms last night at Sam's Club, so think tonight I'll turn them with ground beef into a mushroom cottage pie. I have to check the library to see where I am in the cue for my book club book, but I have more time as we needed to push to December. 

What I'm listening to: I feel like I shouldn't even have this category anymore. The only thing I seem to listen to is the car radio on my short trips out, youTube  videos while making supper, and occasionally BBC world Service when I have head down time to work. I keep saying I'm going to listen to podcasts, bookmark them, then that's where they stay.

What I've been watching: I'd like to, in honor of Guy Fawkes night, watch the episode of Sherlock where he comes back after all thought he killed himself after Moriarty did the same. It's no longer on any of our streaming services. I don't know if I'll watch anything tonight, but earlier in the week I skipped to the last episode of Ashes to Ashes. It was getting a bit redundant and I wanted to see if the ending was going to be worth continuing to watch. I think it might be, though I think they could have done a cleaner  job with clues along the way. I will say, it made the ending of Life on Mars make more sense. 

What I'm eating: I've been actually cooking meals this week-i shared my version of  Gyros for one. I also made spaghetti and meatballs, and tuna hotdish. Last night was fend for yourself. I meant to share my  butternut squash mac and cheese I made for my daughter on Sunday, but will share the recipe on Wednesday in my pantry post. For lunches, I've been enjoying hummus and olives on pita bread, and avocado on toasted naan, along with clementines that need eating up. I had meant to send more back with  the college kid. 

Who I'm paying attention to: Rather who am I not paying attention to, and they are the same ones that need to be slapped. As happy as I am to not have to look at the last president ever again behind a presidential podium, I'm none to thrilled with how any one in Federal leadership of any party are acting. Just get your crap together and work to fix things to help us all. Why is that such a hard concept? Other than the uber rich, most of us really do have the same expectations, even if the angle we come from are different. 

Who needs to be (figuratively) slapped: We had a tight race in the school board election, but the three that were saying "kids before politics", but had the most political effort and an external  conservative PAC making 10,000 calls on their behalf, came out on top. I think all three need to be slapped and be woken up before they take office, to learn what exactly a school board does and does not do, and remember that not all students have the same means and life resources their little cherubs do. When one doesn't see the difference between equal and equitable when  talking about children's learning needs, one thinks the social studies curriculum revisions are about hating white people, and the third thinks she's going to solve the budget needs through nothing but making cuts, it's going to be a long four years. As a parent of children that benefited from special education, the arts, non-revenue generating sports, after school clubs and programs, college in the highschool, and PSEO, I worry for my nieces and nephews and neighbors families. 

What's Making Me Smile:  I've been in a virtual conference or convening of a national technical assistance organization. We had a state planning meeting Monday, Wednesday was the opening  plenary, yesterday was "think alike" where people from different states, but doing similar work, convene around a topic. Today will be the final key note, with the same dynamic speaker who led the plenary, a true treasure in early childhood education. The  same 10 states have been participating since 2018, first convening in Minneapolis. Since then, we've been to Kansas City twice, Memphis, Philadelphia, and New Orleans, the last in person session, and have had three remote. While there has been some change in people participating, we've had 5 shifts of our team of 10, seeing cross country colleagues every six months is really nice. I got to be in a small group with a colleague I met  three years ago from South Carolina who I stay in touch with. 

     Another quirky individual who I met at the first convening in Minneapolis was in attendance as well. She's the type that bursts to be able to speak in groups-something I steer away form unless I really have something to say. She gets people thinking on different paths, sometimes off tangent, but she means well, had her hairless cat wrapped up in her sweater through one of the session. It was funny seeing his head poking out from under her chin. It was only  polite that he should be introduced to us all, and that made me smile. 

     

     I'm going to go to bed early so I' ready for the weekend festivities. My sister is playing  hotel and taxi service as my sister that lives out of town is sleeping over tonight then she is making four stops to pick up me, my sister-in-law, and two sisters. The other two sisters both have a morning work commitment so are meeting later at our cousins. I'm hoping that since I slept so many hours last night and if I go to bed early tonight, that will knock the last of the fatigue  aftermath from my system. Play along in the comments if you want. I'd love to know the W's of your world.

W's for the Last October Friday

  hen the wind howls and the windows shake, I know we are getting to the end of October. DH has a horrible cold, not Covid, but has developed that barky cough. It was horrible yesterday, so he laid low. My younger daughter hung out with her older sister for much of Thursday, partially to keep her company, and also to utilize her better WIFI. While I took hours here and there this week, I still am sucking a lot of the bandwidth as I've had several national calls/conferences. Next week is more of the same-another national project has meetings scheduled over four of the five days of the week. I got a nice little care package for the one this week-though it came after the meeting was over. It was a nice short insulated mug with a travel container top with a packet of hot cocoa to go with it. It was in a bougie box, filled with the shredded and spiralized  packing paper in a variety of colors. The box probably cost as much as the mug! So what else is on my brain as I end this week? Here's my world of W's. 

What's top of mind:  Besides DH's cold, I have personal finances on my brain. I didn't do a check in in September on our countdown to retirement and realized I blew by this past Monday, the last one of October. I'll work on updating our progress for Monday. This includes updating the retirement charts, and seeing I can wiggle down a few budget categories and come out in the black  in 2022 with just applying my salary. 

Where I've been: At the oral surgeons, back and forth to the pharmacy, and back and forth to my daughters-which for me, was a nice change of scenery. I've been on many walks with pup. I'm actually putting socks and shoes on for the short walks-the ones where we don't go far, but pup gets a lot of sniffing time. I think sandal weather is truly gone.

Where I'm going: No where in particular. We're taking DD2 and my MIL out for dinner Saturday, but not sure where yet. DD2 loves a certain pasta dish at a restaurant she worked at one summer. 

What I'm reading: I'm still waiting for my book from the library but haven't had much reading time anyway.

What I'm listening to: I streamed some tunes from the Cranberries No Need to Argue album. It as more background than real listening. 

What I've been watching: My daughter and I over a couple nights watch d The School of Rock for just mindless laughs and giggles. We've also streamed a few more episodes of Supernatural-seems fitting for the week. I'm caught up on the latest Great British Baking Show as well, but watched that the other night when no one else was home.

What I'm eating: I made a big batch of chicken noodle soup yesterday along with crescent rolls. I made curry, chickpea masala on Sunday specifically, for my daughter who ate for three days. I promised her one more batch before she leaves and I'll send her back to school with the leftovers. My kids need their care packages when they leave mom's house. 

Who I'm paying attention to: I've had a bit of a news break this week with juggling time for my kids, the virtual work conference. While today is supposed to be my flex day, I'm interviewing for a permanent position, for which one candidate is the current temporary staff. I guess that person is who I am paying attention to.

Who needs to be (figuratively) slapped: Since I've been avoiding a lot of new, I've had less slapping urges! I'm seeing more garbage strewn in the park-not sure if it is blowing from peoples waste bins after trash pick up day or people leaving behind, but if the latter, I'll give them a slap. 

What's Making Me Smile:  Ok, so DH feeling lousy with his cold does not make me happy, but seeing him with his mugs and tea bags is a homey sight. He's not a coffee drinker, but when he feels poorly or is chilled, tea is his beverage of choice, but not regular black tea. I think I made him three large mugs of Good Earth pomegranate tea yesterday. I tend to use that for cold tea in the summer (with a splash of lemon it is phenomenal), but he loves it hot and I was glad we had quite a few bags on the tea tray.  

     No doubt I'll end my weekend how I started last by doing laundry for  my college kid to pack up and take back. I hope she had a good week off-we didn't do anything exciting, but she got to see a couple friends, sleep without an alarm going off the next morning, and load up on some of her favorite foods. She also did a ton of school work and has 7 weeks left of the semester. My older daughter is doing OK with the prep for her two implants, due to no adult tooth forming where they should have in two spots, but the poor girl will be on soft foods for quite a while. I too would like days where I don't have to get up for any reason other than my own, but my list actually grew this week instead of tapering down. Now it is Halloween on Sunday and then another month is in the books. What are the W's of your word this week?

My W's This Week

   

      Rainy earlier in week and a bit frosty this morning and a mix of all seasons for the weekend. That's my weather report to start my weekly wrap up of W's. It's a good weekend ahead for some outdoor time, and hunkering down to continue with my purging and organizing projects. I say it plural as each room and space is a beast of its own. I'd like to hear from all of you so play along if you'd like. 

What's top of mind:  As I said, the house is still on my mind but slowly things are shaping up. It's always worse at first with pulling things out from where they've been hid. I  didn't get nearly as much done before today as hoped, but I'm farther than had if I had not started. I'll try to keep that attitude. Really though, top of mind is the college kid. My kiddo is expected home about 6:00. She'll have someplace to crash for the week so that's something. She already told me she has some sort of school project to complete, likely see her friends both weekends, and we'll both provide a little TLC to her sister. Mostly, it's going to be a true relaxing week-a break from her 17 credits, two choirs, and three part time jobs! I'm very proud of hard she works. 

Where I've been: Last weekend I hunkered down other than the movie theater with DH. I didn't go to a single store, restaurant, anywhere. DH had suggested dinner out both Friday and Saturday, but  I was both gross and tired from what I had done so far, so we stayed home. I also was not feeling more restaurant meals. 

Where I'm going:  I'm working on and off day today so I'll run to get a few groceries. She's requested curry and while I'm getting all the vegetables prepped for that, I'll make a sort of pot pie for DH who doesn't like the curry flavors, but everything else he does. Like my work day, my week is going to be a mix of vacation and work time, plus some scheduled sick time for DD1. I'm fortunate we can use time for our immediate family-through parent in-laws and grandparents. I'll need to check if siblings are included, as in the future, I can see that being a need. At some point in the week, as she feels up to it, I'd like to go visit my cousin and bring her some treats. 

What I'm reading: After finishing Where the Crawdad Sings, I'm on a massive wait list for the next book, The Firekeepers Daughter. I could get the CD version, but not sure we even have a working CD player anymore! When purging, I pulled out m three volumes of  The Tightwad Gazette books for a bit of a poke through, but not really reading them. My youngest has an incredible book collection and I'm hoping she both culls some, but minimally , organizes them onto her books shelf rather than the stacks everywhere. It's hard to convince book people that they do not need to own all the books. For her, her job in the library is a gift. Being surrounded by books is to her, like being surrounded with a warm blanket on a cold day. The sight and smell of the volumes on the shelves relax and calm her, soaking up part of her stress. 

What I'm listening to: I still have not found my pod cast library that I saved, but on one of my down days, hope to try and recreate it. I've listened to a few conference key note speakers-pretty much all conferences are still virtual, so most are recording portions. The other day it was the speaker from a  Pre-Natal to Age Three symposium that I streamed while doing some Excel spread sheet work. 

What I've been watching: I've put a bit of a pause on the Finish show-it was getting too depressing and haven't picked up Finding Alice again yet. I broke the last Harry Potter movie down into chunks on the weekend and watched that, but otherwise, I've only watched a bit of sports, a bit of the news, and parts of  Wheel of Fortune. Oh, and while I was doing some kitchen purging, I had YouTube on in the background-so that should have been in the listening section.

What I'm eating: Do I dare go here again? Well, no new challenge this week after Sunday's chili and grilled cheese. We had  Brats, sauerkraut, and homemade air fryer French Fries one night, and leftovers last night.  I made a tasty cashew chicken stir fry made with, as Kim calls them, one ingredient foods, though I guess soy sauce, sesame oil, and the little packets of chili sauce used to bring out a bit more flavor probably are more. DH loved it. I had  a big tub of cashews from summer, and threw a cup in with the chicken as an after thought, but that was DH's favorite part. Admittedly, I cheated by using a frozen  steamer bag of broccoli, cauliflower and carrots. The chili sauce was left from frozen egg rolls or a past take out-not sure which. If the chicken had been what I normally spend on boneless, skinless chicken, this might have been a $3 meal, without the flaws. I am so pleased we bought the huge basmati rice bag-I like it so much more than just long grain white rice. I made extra so I could use with a chick pea masala for lunch over a couple of days. 

Who I'm paying attention to: Some local Facebook moderators put a pause on allowing any candidate campaigning on the local community page. Thank goodness as it was getting a bit nasty for the school board race. You all don't live in my community I'm assuming, so I'll spare too many details, but clearly three candidates and their fans have no real understanding about how a school system is required to work, where a school board has oversight and where they do not, and the mechanisms for making decisions and creating change within the parameters of authority. They seem to just think they can come in and radically make change happen because "it's not working now." They cherry pick phrases from the national  conversation, but have nothing in their platform of substance, and answer questions with, 'the school board needs new thoughts and perspectives." Do they share those thoughts and perspectives? Not that I've seen. The statement all politics are local is true, starting with school boards. Whether you have kids in school or not, pay attention. Schools are a reflection of communities.

Who needs to be (figuratively) slapped: People who have barking dogs, which happens, but instead of coming to get them to calm them down, or take them back inside, they stand and scream at the dogs! I'd rather hear the dog bark than their yell. We've got  neighbors, nice family, but have two big  lab mixes that go bananas when they see another dog when they are outside. They have the invisible fencing so they do not run off. Well, they back up to the park as well, so of course, the dogs are going to see a lot of other dogs when they are outside. Twice this week, S just stood on their back deck and called, more  yelled, for them for  the entire time it took me to walk through the park and back out to the road with pup. There's another neighbor I hear every morning scream "shut up". Maybe they're not the owner and it is another  neighbor. 

What's Making Me Smile:  You all make me smile again. Next time I have a visceral comment, I'll just leave it alone and ignore, but I appreciate the positive words from so many of you. The experience, pun intended, did give me food for thought! 

     I've got DD2's bedding in the wash now. I hope it stays dry and can put it out on the line for the bulk of the day, though might have to finish in the dryer.  She can decide if she wants to stay in the extra room or her room. It would be easier in the extra room if we want to keep working on getting her room purged, but she likes her soft comfy bed. That's what I have this Friday, just one more before October closes. 

Week of W's-Pup Leads Off Edition

 

     It seems like just a day ago I was moaning about Tuesday. I truly must have blinked because I find it's Friday and I don't even know where the week went. We had some rain overnight-pup is outside right now and I hope he doesn't come in muddy. The barking patrol is going to start soon-usually does with the school buses and I'll need to bring him in as he loves joining in. What my dog is doing I guess is the first entry in my week in W's.

What's top of mind: This is a light one, but I'm trying to remember where I put a black lacy shawl. It really is top of my mind. My daughter is going to a wedding tomorrow and has a gorgeous black dress, but it will get cool and I think the shawl will be perfect for her. She thrifted the dress for something like $12 for her cousins wedding as a bridesmaid-only request was they all chose black dresses. It isn't designer, but I recall it was a high priced brand. It might be one of the first bridesmaid dresses in history that truly "can be worn again". 

Where I've been: It was only my daughter and I the other night for trivia. We finished 7 1/2 points behind the three way winners, who had a guess off for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Surely if my friends had been able to come, particularly if J brought his son, we could have come up with 8 more right answers and been victorious! Still, I was quite impressed with our  outcome and it was good to have time to talk with her. 

Where I'm going: Well, I was supposed to be going to my nephews football game Saturday morning, but sadly, three of their four kids, and my BIL's assistant at work have Covid. I guess the boys are not feeling very well at all, so keep them in your thoughts and that the others do not get it. I would worry about my BIL who is quite heavy, has a poor diet, and seems to get sick a lot anyway. I honestly don't know their vaccination status. They were big "No's" before Pfizer had FDA approval, but may have changed their minds. 

Other goings, I'm Zooming with some virtual friends met through Blogland tomorrow afternoon. Sunday morning we are doing a round of park clean-up-I have to run and pick up the garbage grabbers this morning from the parks department. It won't take long to clean the park, which is good, because it is DH and my anniversary. I think our Sunday plans are a long drive down the river and stopping for  BBQ at the place we found two years ago that DH still raves about. If DH asks me what I want, I'm going to suggest more mums. They are so pretty this year.

What I'm reading: I'm slowing starting Where the Crawdad's Sing for book club. I was so busy last weekend and exhausted at night this week, no reading at all in the evenings. 

What I'm listening to: After my journey to listen to Dar Williams last week, I got on a Joni Mitchell  mode this week. I moved on to cover songs of Joni Mitchell songs as well, which brings you down a Youtube streaming of semi related themes.I will often just find something on YouTube and let it go in the background. Often it is covers by people making music from their bedrooms, and quite enjoyable.

What I've been watching: I clicked on Finding Alice, a more recent BBC show I found either on Acorn or BritBox. Alice's partner dies very unexpectedly, and she's left navigating life, financials, family (and new family), and his business on her own, while fighting to keep hold of his dream house and where she thinks he wants to be buried. It is a comedy drama, that manages to remind us even when life is crap, there's reason to keep moving forward, but OK to allow yourself the needed meltdown f called for. I love Alice already and think I might let it stick around on my watch list for a while. There might only be one season of a few episodes. If you've seen, what are your thoughts. Alice, the character, is terrific, as is the actor, but darn if I remember her name. She might be the same actor from Ashes to Ashes.

What I'm eating: I ended up making a rice hotdish and not goulash the other night. Last night was the meatballs in mushroom gravy with potatoes, and plenty of leftovers. I made a can of  sweet corn bought from Walmart, their Great Value brand. It was inedible. It was hard and tasted like they picked and canned field corn, not sweet corn. Ugh,and I think I have nother can of it. With all the shopping I did last week, I didn't do much regular household grocery shopping. That's OK as once again I want to empty the fridge and freezer and do a thorough clean before restocking. We've already decided tonight will just be Trader Joe's Tomato Red  pepper soup and grilled cheese. If I don't shop tomorrow, I plan to give DH his gift tomorrow night and we can order a pizza with the gift card that came with the pizza grill kit. It's from a local pizza place that we don't order from often. It's all about avoiding shopping and cooking lately with me. 

Who I'm paying attention to: My BIL's family of course, but my older daughter is in the midst of wanting to change up her life. The possible change I mentioned last week was pending if she was made and accepted a job offer and relocation. It ended up being a ridiculous offer, but she's still looking at options and relocating. You all know I'll support my kids to the moon and back, which was why it was nice being just the two of us on Wednesday. We could talk about options, possibilities, and timelines. 

Who needs to be (figuratively) slapped: Maybe I'm a little mellower this week, but no one set my annoyance radar off too badly this week in my real life. I'll collectively slap all the parents going to school board meetings and screaming at board members about masking. We want kids in school-we don't want kids sick. It's not that hard a concept. Equally, I'll slap people that ignore a businesses sign that they require masks in their store. Put your damn mask on for the 15 minutes you need to spend your money.  Heck, it's not required, we're spread out in the brewery, and wear masks when ordering our brew. K-so maybe I'm not so mellow. 

What's Making Me Smile:  We have a few neighbors on our cul de sac with young kids. I really don't know them well, though we're wave and greeting friendly, and of course I've seen their kids a lot since working from home, Yesterday, one little girl whizzed past pup and I when sitting outside (of course he barked his foo head off at her) without training wheels. It was a nice milestone to see and made me smile. Her younger brother has his little bike, updated from just using his  feet to scoot, to now peddling with training wheels. He'll be following her next summer I bet. 

     That's what I got this week. There's still plenty of time if you'd like to join the Blogger Zoom Meet-up tomorrow. Send me a not at samandcoffee65@gmail.com. Enjoy your Friday-I need to let the barking pup in.