What's Up Wednesday, September 2022 Edition

 

It is officially fall and I am here for it! Just don't expect me to come at you with a PSL; that's not how I do autumn.

Anyhoodle, onto this month's link-up with Sheaffer and Shay!

What I'm Eating

Hugh and I had some fabulous food while we were in Vegas for our anniversary earlier this month. Since we've been home, I've been trying to undo the damage; it's a work in progress.

What I'm Reminiscing About

The weekend before last, Hugh, the Man-Cub, Shanti, and I made the trip to Mayberry to help my Mom and sisters prepare for Mom's move to Hooterville. Part of the process included sorting through, and selling, over fifty years of possessions that Mom and Dad had accumulated while living in my childhood home. Some of the items were harder to part with than others, but almost all of them triggered some sort of memory for one or all of us. It was hard. And, at times, very sweet. I'm going to be doing a lot of reminiscing about that house and my hometown in general over the next little while.

What I'm Loving

Some of my favorite shopping happens in the fall, and I've already made some great finds, including a brie baker shaped like a pumpkin, some seasonal risotto and a pasta that will cook up nicely in my favorite butternut squash pasta sauce.

I'm also loving my Mom's friends and the fact that they have been so supportive of her move to Hooterville. They are a close bunch and they will miss her, but they want what's best for her and, for that, I am appreciative.

What I've Been Up To

Hugh and I spent our 29th anniversary in Las Vegas at The Venetian. We enjoyed pool time, a raunchy show, dining, shopping, relaxing, and a visit to the Mob Museum. It was a good time.

The weekend after we got back, I hosted the biggest fundraiser yet for Not So New Job. The annual Barn Dance got an upgrade this year, with costumed bartenders, volunteers, and staff. Our guests had a great time and we raised more than I could have hoped.

What I'm Working On

I'm currently working on getting my house decorated for Halloween. It's never too early for Halloween, says I.

What I'm Dreading

For the first time in quite a while, I'm not actively dreading anything. I'm not sure how to process that.

What I'm Excited About

Queen B and the Rodeo Princess are moving out of their house and into places of their own. The Rodeo Princess will be moving about an hour away from Queen B for work, and Queen B will be moving into an apartment closer to her own job. I'm excited for both of them; I've always believed that you should live by yourself at least once in your life, preferably when you are young and exploring your independence. The girls have been such an amazing support for one another over the past few years and I know that being apart will be hard on them at first, but I know they will both be just fine.

What I'm Watching

I actually did the 7 day free trial of Discovery +, just to watch the documentary on the Hammer family. It was a lot to sink your teeth into (if you know, you know). This family is so screwed up; it's hard to imagine the amount of wealth they have been able to accumulate.

What I'm Reading

I haven't had time to read much this month. At the moment, the best I can manage are quick magazine articles, so I picked up the latest issue of People. The article on the Queen is a good read.

What I'm Listening To

I'm not listening to anything of particular interest, lately. I do have a list of podcasts that I am hoping to get to eventually, however.

What I'm Wearing

No cute shoes to show this month. Instead, I am wearing my oldest pair of runners with new orthotic inserts (whomp, whomp) They certainly aren't stylish, they hurt like hell, and they were hella expensive, but they're supposed to help alleviate some of the foot pain that I've been experiencing the past few years. Yeah, supposed to. So far, that's not happening, so....foot surgery after the first of the year, because, yeah...screw this.

What I'm Doing This Weekend

Hugh and I are driving to Mayberry to supervise the movers as they load Mom for the move. Hugh has to be in Denver on Saturday, so I will drive Mom's car back to Hooterville so that we can be at the new house when the movers unload. Then Mom and I will get to unpacking and settling her into her new digs.

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month

Have we met? Halloween, of course! I've already started decorating the house, and my outdoor skeleton display is on the schedule next. It's going to be sweet this year! I can't wait to share.

I'm also planning to take a "staycation" from Not So New Job the first week of October. My goal is to help mom get unpacked, get my house cleaned, organized, and Halloween-ready, clear out the Man-Cub's old room and have a yard sale. It's an ambitious plan, but I'm determined. I'm also completely burned out on Not So New Job and I'm hoping that some time away will reignite some sort of interest in my work (I'm not holding my breath).

Favorite Amazon Find This Month

My Halloween decor this year is going to include the dining room; these chargers will feature prominently. I can also use them at other times of the year (she said, in a vain attempt to justify the purchase)