What's Up Wednesday, November 2023 Edition

 

Holy crap, this month went by fast! I blinked and it was past time to thaw out a turkey (spoiler: it managed to thaw out in time...barely). I honestly don't know how time managed to get away from me like that, but I suspect it has to do with my advancing age; I did turn 55 yesterday.

Anyhoodle, I'm not yet so senile as to forget the monthly What's Up Wednesday post, so here we are! Thank you to Sheaffer and Shay for continuing to host this link-up; it's going to serve as a memory-jogger for me on down the road. Apparently, I'm going to need it.

What I've Been Eating

Mom and I went back to the Thai restaurant in Hooterville and I decided to try something new; Thai vegetables with chicken. 

It was really tasty, and, healthy enough that I felt like I was budgeting some extra calories for November's Main Event: THANKSGIVING DINNER!

I've been polishing off the leftovers since Thursday. Zero regrets.

What I'm Reminiscing About

I'm not really reminiscing about anything, currently.

What I'm Loving

You know the Man-Cub's girlfriend? The one I adoringly refer to as the Daughter-in-Love? Well, the Man-Cub decided to make it official by putting a ring on it. So, pretty soon, she'll be our Daughter-in-Law. I'll still be referring to her as my Daughter-in-Love, however, because while it's great to make a legal transaction, it's far better to have a commitment of the heart. And we have that.

I already added her to this year's family Christmas tree ornament and everything.

 

What I've Been Up To

Hugh and I took the Boomer Dog to see Santa Paws at the pet supply store in Hooterville. It was his second year to go and he approached it like a pro. He was such a good boy, he got a giant cookie.

And the pictures turned out great.

What I'm Working On

I've been slowly weeding out items of clothing that I no longer wear and donating them. Our local Salvation Army store only accepts two bags of clothing per person per day, and the store in Pixler accepts three per person per day, so I have been alternating between the two, as well as taking the best items to Not So New Job. My goal is to have my closet completely pared down by the New Year.

What I'm Dreading

I presented my final budget draft to the Treasurer of my Board last week and we are scheduled to sit down to go over it next week. I hate this process for a number of reasons, not the very least of which is the fact that I hate numbers. And math. And budgeting.

What I'm Excited About

I'll answer this question more completely when I talk about what I'm doing this weekend!

What I'm Watching

I have season tickets to the local community theater; this month, Mom and I went to their production of Deathtrap. It was really well done and we enjoyed it. I was reminded of the 1982 movie production of the play, starring Michael Caine and Christopher Reeves. Damn. I am old.

What I'm Listening To

It's that time of year again! I tuned my Sirius XM into the Hallmark Music channel the minute it aired and it's been there ever since. The Christmas music calms my road rage, so it's really a win for everyone.

What I'm Reading

I'm currently working through The Guest Book. It was in a box of books that were donated to Not So New Job and was not exactly suitable for our clients, so I took it. I'm not very far into it, so no judgement yet.

This month, I finally made it all the way through The Wish. You know what I wish? I wish Nicholas Sparks could write a novel that actually has a happy ending and in which no one dies. That's what I wish (sorry if I just spoiled that for you. Oh, who are we kidding? It's virtually impossible to spoil the ending of a Sparks tragedy)

I started reading Christmas at Silver Falls but quickly realized that I had already read it, so I deleted it from my Kindle like I should have done when I finished it originally. See above: Old Age.

What I'm Wearing

The weather turned bitterly cold over the past few days, so I am wearing coats again. I miss summer, already.

What I'm Doing This Weekend

I'm going to Texas to see my baby! I leave tomorrow and won't be back until Tuesday. This is the trip that my staff gave me for my birthday and I plan to make the absolute best of it. We are going on a carriage ride to look at Christmas lights, attending a German Christmas market, doing a Sip'n'Paint, getting pedicures, decorating her Christmas tree, and watching Hallmark movies in our Christmas jammies while we drink wine. It's going to be epic! I can't wait!

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month

We are planning to have a full house for Christmas and I am very excited about that. Queen B will be coming home, the Rodeo Princess is coming down, the Rebel Without a Cause and my Great-Niece are coming, and we will be celebrating the Man-Cub and Daughter-in-Love's engagement. We are also hosting the 3rd Annual Christmas Cocktail Contest, as well as watching the Petticoat Junction Parade of Lights, and baking like there is going to be a sugar shortage.

I'm very much looking forward to all of it.

Favorite Amazon Find

Hugh and I got a new Christmas tree this year; it has the option of both colored and clear lights. We haven't had a tree with colored lights in decades and I am embracing it. I busted out all my vintage Shiny Brite ornaments and bought several new reproduction Shiny Brite glass bead garlands. Then, I saw these bubble lights and knew they would fit in, perfectly. I love them and am actually thinking about buying a couple more sets. Vintage is my vibe this year.