I've toyed with the idea of skipping this post a few times over the years, but never more so than this month; there just hasn't been a lot going on and I hate to risk boring what little audience I have here. I'm doing it anyway, but it's definitely a risk.
Consider yourself warned! And, as always, thanks to Sheaffer and Shay for hosting.
What I'm Eating
In addition to the usual daily fare (pasta, salads, soup, etc.), I have had a couple of yummy restaurant dinners.
Mom and I ate at one of the local Mexican restaurants before attending a play at the community theater earlier this month. I had the chicken fajitas, which were amazing.
What I'm Reminiscing About
Memories have been popping up on my phone this month, specifically, memories of the team breakfasts that the Basketball Moms and I hosted for the boys while they were in High School. I miss the Booster Club Moms like crazy, and, while I still catch up with them as often as possible, our lives have taken off in all directions, just like our boys did. Still, those breakfasts will always be remembered fondly.
What I'm Loving
Kristi arrived for a visit on the 21st and I have loved catching up with her. Her business here requires her to return on occasion, and I'm glad she knows she always has someplace to stay. The next time she comes, Erin will be able to come along, which will be awesome. In the meantime, we snuck some fun in during her stay.
What I've Been Up To
The weather has been less snowy than one would expect from Colorado in January (don't worry; I'm sure the blizzards will be rolling in any day now), so I have taken advantage of the mild temperatures by visiting the nearby wetland area for some birding. The cranes are wintering there, currently, and, while I can't get as close to them as I would like; I still got s few shots.
What I'm Working On
I'm pitching in on the wedding planning in whatever ways the Daughter-in-Love requires. Currently, I am scouring thrift stores, antique shops, Mercari, and other online shops for milk glass vases. Shanti wants to fill a variety of them with wildflowers and then group them together on the tables as the centerpieces, which, I think will be lovely. I've already secured fifteen of the roughly forty that we will need, so I clearly understood my assignment.
What I'm Dreading
Planning for fundraising season starts in earnest this week. I have already confirmed large sponsors for the virtual 5K in April and we have the first committee meeting for the Barn Dance next week. I feel like I am on a never ending carousel of suck when it comes to fundraising. I need to win the lottery so I can retire.
What I'm Excited About
I'm hesitant to let myself get excited about it yet, buuuut, there is a chance that I will be traveling to the UK in May. The window of time in which I would be able to pull off a trip is incredibly narrow this year (work, work, wedding, etc.) and May looks like the best possibility. Unfortunately, the juggling that will need to take place in order for me to actually take the trip is dependent on other people picking up my duties here (hardware store duties, specifically) and I don't know if I can depend on that. It's still an exciting prospect, though, so maybe I will let myself get a little bit excited.
What I'm Watching
Mom and I saw a production of A Walk in the Woods at the community theater this month. The play was not my favorite but I have to give mad credit to the two men who made up the entire cast of the show; they had two solid hours of dialogue to memorize (and one was spoken in a Russian accent, which could not have been easy to maintain!) and they executed it flawlessly.
What I'm Listening To
At the moment, I am listening to a SERIALously podcast on Spotify. It's about the Chris Watts case, specifically about Nichol Kessinger, who was his affair partner and whom people have long suspected of being involved in the murder of Chris's wife and daughters. I guess we will never know, sadly.
What I'm Reading
I picked up this book by Kristin Hannah to read while I sit in the sauna at the day spa and I could not put it down. I finished it in two days and enjoyed it very much. I typically enjoy her work, and this one was one of my favorites. The synopsis of the book is below.
Sometimes when you open the door to your mother’s past, you find your own future…
Meredith and Nina Whitson are as different as sisters can be. One stayed at home to raise her children and manage the family apple orchard; the other followed a dream and traveled the world to become a famous photojournalist. But when their beloved father falls ill, these two estranged women will find themselves together again, standing alongside their cold, disapproving mother, Anya, who even now, offers no comfort to her daughters. On his deathbed, their father extracts one last promise from the women in his life.
It begins with a story that is unlike anything the sisters have heard before—a captivating, mysterious love story that spans sixty-five years and moves from frozen, war torn Leningrad to modern-day Alaska. The vividly imagined tale brings these three women together in a way that none could have expected. Meredith and Nina will finally learn the secret of their mother’s past and uncover a truth so terrible it will shake the foundation of their family and change who they think they are.
What I'm Wearing
I have been making a serious effort to wear items from my closet that I haven't worn in a while. My goal is to not repeat an outfit this month, and, so far, I have been successful. As I pull things from the closet, I am making decisions about whether or not to keep them; if I haven't worn them in some time, or if I don't like how they feel, look, fit, etc., I am throwing them in the Donate bag. I'm making great headway.
What I'm Doing This Weekend
I don't have a lot planned, which is not a bad thing, at all. I do want to work on my embroidery projects, and, I need to do some reorganizing in my craft room, but, otherwise, I'm just going to play it by ear.
What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month
Queen B is coming home for her birthday and we are so excited to see her!
Favorite Amazon Find
I needed bookends for the shelves on our entertainment center and wanted something different. These bronze bunnies are absolutely adorable and sturdy enough to hold up my heaviest volumes. I love them.
I LOVE your embroidered sneakers! I think Winter Garden is one of my all time favorite Kristen Hannah books.. though she has lots of good ones but Winter Garden was one of those that really stuck with me.
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