What's Up Wednesday, April 2025 Edition

 

Oh, look! Another month gone by at the speed of light! This is going to be a quick post because I am drowning in life over here and this is the best I can do.

What I've Been Eating

I discovered a new favorite panini at a restaurant in Hooterville; it combines turkey with green chili aioli and it is delicious.

What I'm Loving

Spring has brought with it a plethora of colorful tulips and I'm here for it.

What I'm Reminiscing About

We're just a month away from our next Girls Weekend, and I find myself reminiscing about the trips that my college roommates and I have taken together over the years. We've visited lakes, a beach, a cabin, several resorts, and each other's homes, and every time, we make memories to last a lifetime. I am in desperate need of laughter, and these ladies always deliver.

Women of a certain age know exactly what is happening in this picture. Tee was fighting for her life against her bladder. Tee lost.

What I've Been Up To

Interviewing applicants for both advocate positions at Not So New Job. Literally, that is all.

What I'm Working On

See above. Also, doing the work of three people because, in addition to losing both the advocates (for reasons unrelated to the job and for better opportunities, which I absolutely support), my office manager is in the hospital with pneumonia. When it rains, it pours, folks.

What I'm Dreading

At this point, I refuse to dread anything. Manifestation is real, friends, and I can't possibly take on more dreadful things.

What I'm Excited About

I'm excited about going to Colorado Springs next month for Hugh's induction into the Hall of Fame for sports officials. The family will be joining us and it should be a good time.

What I'm Watching

I binged Ransom Canyon on Netflix, which is about the only television watching that I have done this month. I am overstimulated at work and don't need the extra noise when I am home.

What I'm Reading

Reading as been my escape and I finished all of the books in the Throne of Glass series.

What I'm Listening To

Silence. Blessed silence.

What I'm Wearing

I got the cutest pair of jeans in my Wantable subscription box this quarter. 

What I'm Doing This Weekend

It's time for Pickin at the Pea again! Mom, Kristi, and I plan to hit the sale first thing Saturday morning. I'm also hoping to get the porch opened for the season, which means I'll be doing some pressure washing. Am I the only one who finds pressure washing satisfying?

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month

Girls Weekend!!!

Favorite Purchase This Month

I purchased these air fresheners that clip onto the vents in my car. They come with a pad that you scent with essential oils; I used lemon so my car has smelled lemony fresh.

Friday Favorites, April Edition

Okay, so I'm nowhere near reaching my goal of posting 52 Friday Favorites posts this year—I blew that goal last month—but I can try to post a favorites post at least once a month. I mean, that's doable. Right? Right? Tell me I'm right.

One thing that I am loving this month is the tiny milk glass creamer that I found at one of the local antique stores. I purchased matches and a set of adhesive strikers on Amazon, attached one of the strikers to the bottom of the creamer, and voila! I have the cutest set-up for matches next to my current favorite candle. Since the kids' wedding last year, my milk glass collection has grown and grown, and I'm not mad about it. Finding unique uses for the milk glass items is a fun challenge.

I am a big fan of drinking a cup of afternoon tea, and this particular Earl Grey is my absolute favorite. I discovered it at Marshalls and have made a point of purchasing a tin every time they have it in stock. This brand is also a favorite of one of our police detectives at Not So New Job, so I keep a tin there for him to enjoy when he is in the house for interviews. He's British, so his opinion on tea matters.

I am still receiving quarterly boxes from Wantable; these embroidered jeans were in my last box, and I adore them!

Spring has sprung, and the tulips, grape hyacinth, and daffodils at Not So New Job are on point!

(Don't ask me about the 100 or so tulip bulbs that I planted at home last fall, though. While they did sprout, they have not bloomed, and I am very disappointed. That is definitely not a favorite)

Earlier today, I picked up two vintage luncheon sets (circa 1940's) at a flea market held by the local Women's Club; they are definitely new favorites. 

The first set is vintage Hazel Atlas daisy glass. I had never seen a set like this before, so I snatched it up immediately. The glass is clear, but it has a golden tint, which is really pretty and very different.

The second set is also by Hazel Atlas and is in the Teardrop pattern. The glass is clear, but the rims of the plates and cups are silver. I had never seen this pattern, either, so I justified the purchase by telling myself how unique it is. I'm really good at justifying purchases of vintage items I don't actually need. It's my gift.

After the flea market, Mom and I hit the Goodwill, where I found a set of Bavarian China that I could not leave behind. Did I need it? You know I didn't. Am I 100% thrilled with the purchase? You know I am.

I also picked up this grab bag from the impulse section in the checkout lane, and, I don't regret giving into that impulse in the least; the tiny Limoges cream pitchers are precious.

This one is my absolute favorite of the three.

And that wraps up this month's favorites. 

I will definitely (possibly, maybe) commit to a monthly Friday Favorites. 

Again, how hard could that be?

(Ask me next month)

Life, Lately

When I say my life is a Groundhog Day of Suck, I'm not actually kidding. I get up at around five every weekday morning, head into the hardware store to do the daily receipts, then head to Not So New Job, where I spend the day dealing with whatever fresh Hell the universe sees fit to throw at me (currently: two staff members leaving their positions, which means I have been interviewing applicants to replace them, which is going...not well), then home in the evening to decompress as well as I possibly can.

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

The weekends haven't been any more exciting, either. So, while I live for the weekend during the week, I don't really live it up on the weekend.

It's not how I like to live, but there isn't much I can do about it at this point. I am hopeful, however, that change is on the horizon.

Speaking of change, Hugh has been living his very best life; he was recently promoted to lieutenant at the fire station, finally passed the test that makes him an EMT, officially, appointed Head Official at the biggest wrestling tournament that he officiates at, and was chosen to be inducted into the Colorado Wrestling Official Hall of Fame-all within the space of a week. We will head to Colorado Springs for his coronation in May (I keep referring to the induction ceremony as a coronation because it's funny. To me. Hugh is less amused).

In other things that are changing, Erin and Kristi have made the hard and sad decision to divorce, so The Lesbians are no more. We are all sad but doing our best to support both of them as they navigate this huge transition. Erin was in town last week to go over the details of the separation, and I got to spend some time with her before she returned to Wales. I hope to visit her sometime this year, once things stabilize at Not So New Job.

So, that's a little catch-up on what's been going on around here. I have been reading a lot lately, which is how I choose to decompress.

I managed to put together a care package for Queen B as well as an Easter basket for Shanti and the Man-Cub. Queen B got more of her favorite faux tulips (in a smaller size, this time), as well as a new tumbler, among other goodies, including an Easter Bunny Leggo set (adult Leggo sets are replacing puzzles for this generation of young people, in my opinion).

Shanti and the Man-Cub also got a Bunny Leggo set and a replica of their wedding invitation that I embroidered recently.

Lastly, for today, Guinness recently had a mystery illness that landed him in the vet's office. The vet ran every test possible, and the best she could come up with was that he possibly ate something he shouldn't have, most likely a spider. She put him on some medication, and he was better fairly quickly. 

Thank goodness, because if I take one more pet to the vet just to come away with an expensive bill and a death sentence, I'm going to lose my ever-loving mind.

And, that's it for life around here lately.

Also, my second post this month. Go, me.

Hello Strangers

Happy day after Easter! I hope you and your family had a wonderful day celebrating, if that is your thing. If it isn't, I hope you had a lovely Sunday.

Hugh and I joined Shanti and the Man-Cub at Mom's house, where she prepared a traditional feast; I had only to contribute the creamed corn, which made for a relaxing holiday. Oscar, Emily, and Shanti's parents joined us, so we were in great company.

I've taken this month off from blogging and will probably regret it at some point in the future (I do like having posts to look back on as the years go by). Life has been pretty humdrum, and I don't know about you, but constant repeats of boring content aren't exactly why I tune in to read people's blogs. I'm sparing you from the torture of what has become the Groundhog Day of my life.

You are most welcome.

However, I will share some pictures of my Easter decor before it heads back into the attic later this week. Spring decor is one of my favorite themes, and this year was no exception.

Once everything is stored in its proper place, I will redecorate with my usual decor pieces. The next holiday I decorate for isn't until Halloween, so I'll have plenty of time to enjoy the new (old) pieces I have thrifted lately.

I am also really jonesing to get outside and clean out my flower beds. The weather is still a bit dicey to even think about planting, but that doesn't mean I can't prep the beds and start dreaming.

And that wraps up this first (hopefully not only) post of April 2025.

I really do need to get a life.