What's Up Wednesday, March 2022 edition

 

It's that time again; What's Up Wednesday with Sheaffer and Shay. Or, as I like to call it: One of Maybe Three Posts That I Will Write This Month. The spirit is willing, but the life is dull. 

Anyhoodle!

What I'm Eating

I haven't eaten anything particularly memorable recently. I'm still trying to avoid sugar, but, failing more often than I succeed. It's a character flaw; I'm working on it.

What I'm Reminiscing About

Facebook keeps reminding me that I was in Paris around this time seven years ago. My Dad had died the previous October and my sisters, Mom, and I took the trip because he never had the chance to. He had worked hard his entire life, and never got to see Europe. While his ideal destination was his ancestral home of Scotland, my sisters and I thought it might be too soon for Mom to go there without him, so, we picked Paris. It was a good choice, and a trip that I would like to repeat, but, first I really do want to make it to Scotland.

Posts about the trip can be found here,  here, here, here, and here, if you happen to be interested.

What I'm Loving

I recently coughed up a partial lung in payment for a camera bag that I have lusted over for years. Then, since I was already in pain, I bought an organizer to match. I have no regrets; lungs regenerate and the bags are awesome.

I am also loving the Man-Cub's new kitten. He had been looking for a cat to adopt, and, this long-haired tuxie was just waiting to be loved by him. Her name is Leia and she is already quite spoiled.

What I've Been Up To

I've been making it a point to spend more time with friends. To that end, I have enjoyed Sunday brunch with The Newlyweds and a wine date with Jana. I also Zoomed with The Girls, which is something that we need to do more of; at least until we can get a Girl's Weekend planned.

What I'm Working On

Hugh finally purchased the lumber for my new raised garden beds, so I have been getting my garden plot ready for construction. This entailed demolishing and hauling off of an old Rubbermaid storage locker and a Rubbermaid potting station; both of which were falling apart and will not be missed.

I also raked up the branches and leaves that had accumulated in the space, and threw away some other debris that had magically appeared in the three years since I last planted.

What I'm Dreading

I don't have anything that I am actively dreading, yet I have an underlying inexplicable feeling of dread that I am experiencing frequently. It's could be hormonal, or, it could have something to do with the state of our world. If it's hormonal, a slight tweaking of my prescription will do the trick. If it's the other thing, well, I guess I'm screwed. Maybe the world leaders all need their hormones tweaked.

What I'm Excited About

I am making plans to visit Queen B in Texas in May! When Hugh and I visited last year, we took a drive to Waco to visit the Magnolia Silos. This time, we may road trip to Austin or San Antonio. I don't really know for sure yet what we'll be doing, but I'll be doing it with my daughter and that's all that matters.

What I'm Watching

My office manager told me that I would love Ghosts, and, as with most things; she was right. I binged the first season and am now sad that I didn't make it last longer. It's funny, light, and totally enjoyable. I can't wait for Season 2.

Along with the rest of America, I also watched The Adam Project. It was great! The kid who plays the younger Ryan Reynolds was ah-may-zing!! He had Reynolds' quirky mannerisms down pat.

Welcome to Flatch is another cute series; it's a mockumentary, which is one of my favorite genres. The Office set the bar, obviously.

This past weekend, I binged the second season of Bridgerton. It wasn't quite as good as the first season, but it was still pretty darn entertaining. It was a departure from the book, which isn't exactly surprising since that seems to be the trend that the series is following. Also, the series makes me feel slightly less dumb after watching it than the books did after I read them. Salvaged IQ points for the win!

What I'm Reading

People! I actually have something to report on in this regard! It's a literary miracle! Not only have I read two books on gardening, but, I'm deep into a novel! I'm reading for education and for entertainment! Who am I?!

I have a long history of gardening, but, this year I am going to be planting in raised beds, which is something that I have not done in the past; I'm relatively certain I will be successful, but, it never hurts to do a little research.

I've also never given a lot of thought to what I plant together, but, since I will need to make the most of the limited space that I will have; I am going to be very thoughtful about companion planting this year.

As for the novel; you can't go wrong with Kerry Lonsdale. I've read Lonsdale's previous trilogy, so I was excited to start No More Words, which is the first in another trilogy. From Amazon:

Forced to choose between abortion or adoption, Olivia Carson’s younger sister, Lily, runs away from home. Sixteen and pregnant, she never returns. But she writes. Once a year, Lily mails a picture of her son, Josh, to Olivia until his thirteenth year. Then it’s Josh himself who arrives at Olivia’s house, alone, terrified, and in possession of a notarized declaration from Lily. It begins, “In the event I go missing…”

Josh has difficulty talking. He can’t read or write, but he’s a prolific artist, exhibiting skill beyond his age. His drawings are as detailed as they are horrific. Olivia soon realizes Josh’s artwork tells a story. There’s more to his arrival and to Lily’s untimely disappearance than it seems. Using the drawings as a road map, Olivia traces Josh’s path back to his mom. Each drawing sheds light on Lily’s past and reveals a darkness that forces Olivia to question everything she thought she knew about her family.

 

I am enjoying it so far, which means I will download the second book as soon as I am finished. Then, it looks like there will be a bit of a wait for the third book, but, considering my recent literary track record; I'm sure being patient will be no hardship.

What I'm Listening To

As I type this, I am listening to the cooing of the mourning doves that reside in the gables of the roof at Not So New Job; it's lunchtime but I have a therapist in the building conducting trauma assessments, so I am eating at my desk. Might as well blog while I chew.

What I'm Wearing

I feel like I have been wearing the same outfits on repeat; probably because I have been. I can't wait until the weather gets a bit more predictable so that I can bust out my dresses and capri pants.

What I'm Doing This Weekend

I am attending a baby shower for Mama Jill's newest grandbaby. I haven't seen Mama Jill or her daughter in ages so I am very much looking forward to the event.

What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month

April is going to be a very busy month at Not So New Job. It's both Child Abuse Awareness Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and, since my organization works with survivors of both, I will be attending a number of events outside of normal working hours, including an event that we are hosting. So, I guess what I'm most looking forward to is the month being over. How sad is that?

On the positive side, Easter is also next month and, as a lover of the holiday, I am looking forward to it. I've already decorated the house in anticipation.

Favorite Amazon Find This Month

Hugh and I hosted a Mexican fiesta night recently; Hugh's nephew from Illinois was visiting my in-laws over his college spring break and we wanted a theme that we thought he might enjoy. The menu for the dinner included a taco bar, so, when I saw these plates on Amazon, I thought they would be a handy way to serve the tacos. Not only were they handy; they got rave reviews from the Man-Cub and Shanti, who will no doubt be getting a set for their apartment.

What Else Is New

Speaking of the Man-Cub, Shanti, and their apartment; the kids have moved into the apartment over the hardware store. The Cub is helping Hugh with a major remodel of the space in exchange for rent, which, means he will be able to save his earnings for the traveling that he and Shanti are planning to do in the next couple of years. It's a win-win for all of us.