What's Up, Wednesday?

Hi all!  It's What's Up, Wednesday?  A monthly link up to tell others what's up with your month!

What We're Eating This Week

We had Peyton's Birthday dinner Sunday which was chicken alfredo and ice cream cake.  Monday, I made an instapot spaghetti.  It was not good.  This is my third attempt at Spaghetti in the instapot and it always turns out less than desirable.  I am going back to making spaghetti the original way. On Tuesday, we had Chipotle.  Tonight, we are having BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, corn and probably some fries with it.  I have to go grocery shopping, so I'm not sure on the rest of the week.  We made it all the way through our food choices.

What I'm Reminiscing About

Normal school days.  We are surviving and know in the future things will get back to normal.     

What I'm Loving

Halloween and Fall Decorations and just Fall in general.  I love the cooler temps.  I bought a few plants that I like.  A pony palm and a pink nerve plant.

What We've Been Up To

We visited the sunflower fields, apple orchards and went on a paranormal tour.  

What I'm Dreading

Nothing really.  Just trying to keep going forward

What I'm Working On

Myself!  Haha.  I started a new mindfulness program for weight loss.  I just finished week 2 on Monday and have lost six pounds.  I am also coordinating a blood drive in October.

What I'm Excited About

Doing all the fun fall things!

What I'm Watching / Reading

Big Brother, Cobra Kai, scary movies!

I am almost finished with The Familiars and am going to start The Night Swim for a Book Club!

What I'm Listening To

I just finished up Bear Brook and I like listening to the Creepy podcast!

What I'm Wearing

Mostly leggings, Tshirts and sweatshirts.  Tomorrow, I will put on some business casual though because I have an event to attend! 

What I'm Doing This Weekend

Unsure yet! 

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month

Fall fun weekends!

Getting my exchange gifts.

Postcards and PenPal letters.

What Else Is New

My grandpa is settling in to his new apartment now and is participating in family activities again!

Fall Fun List!

 

I know it's been Fall for about a week.  I guess I'm behind on posting my list. :) 

Mine is short, just because of what kind of year it's been.  But here we go...

• Visit the Pumpkin Patch
• Get Lost in a Corn Maze
• Decorate pumpkins or use them to decorate things.
• Get a huge mum plant for the front porch
• Make some apple cider and bake an apple pie
• Make some chili!  (Multiple times probably!)
• Make a bonfire and have s'mores!
• Visit a haunted house/maze!
• Make a pumpkin bread or muffins
• Take a few hikes!  The weather is perfect for it.
• Visit a zoo.  The animals love the cooler weather!
• Volunteer somewhere.
• Go on a paranormal tour!

A few things we have already done that would normally be on the list..

• Visiting the apple orchard and visiting the sunflower field.

What's on your list?

Peyton's Birthday Weekend!

 Peyton's Birthday was over the weekend!  We celebrated with a late lunch with family.  He decided on a chicken alfredo, salad and bread.  There was also some chips and homemade salsa left over from the night before.

He got a Oreo Cookie Cake.  

All of our family (except Tanner because he's overseas) was there and it was nice.  Peyton wouldn't give an gift ideas, so he got money.  I still haven't gotten him anything, because as his mother I refuse to give him money.  He did see a few sweatshirts he wanted at a store, I will go back and get those for him. :)

Happy Fri-Yay!

 I realize, I only took three pictures this week.  Two of my cat Fred and one of the fall decor I put together in an old crock.  

Let's see, what's been up this week....

Hybrid schedule has been miserable for Peyton.  I tried to move him to online learning, but the school district said it was too late and they would only move him if someone in our family has a compromised immune system.  We are all healthy.  I talked to the counselor and asked her to talk to him and counsel him.  She pulled him in and just told him that I tried to change him to online school and I couldn't.  She didn't counsel him or help him.  Ugh.  I'm trying.  I'm not complaining about things, just trying to find a solution that works for Peyton and his schooling this year.  

Hybrid schedule means he goes 2-3 days a week.  When he does go to school, they walk in, get temperature checked, go to their Advocacy classroom and sit in the same classroom for eight hours.  The school informed me that they are allowed to go outside to the brand new multi-million dollar stadium that has never been used for a game for fresh air.  Peyton thought he would, at least, get to see his teachers.  He doesn't.  They are sitting in different classrooms, with their own advocacy classes, teaching their classes online.  He is in PE and Automotive Tech.  Those are not online classes. 

There was a league meeting for KCRW.  Online, of course.  We were warned that leadership was going to get ambushed.  It wasn't as bad as expected, but we were still told we aren't doing enough.  That feels great.  I love working my ass off for free and being told I don't do enough.  There is a lot going on in the background.  Getting things set up, trying to figure out what we can and can't do according to WFTDA, State, County and City guidelines, keeping track of COVID numbers, to see if we are to the point where we can practice again.  It's exhausting.  

Does anyone else get an absurd amount of junk email that they miss the important ones?  I have someone else that uses an email address similar to mine and I get their email all the time.  I've gotten their lease agreement, doctors bills, closing info from a realtor.  I feel like it's more than one person that has a similar email address to mine because some of the stuff is from the TX/OK area and the other stuff is from the SC/GA/FL area.  Like they all move around a lot.  I've even gotten paypal payments from people I don't know.  I'm assuming going to one of these other people.  This week I've gotten a Tallahassee Pediatric Dentist online portal invite and a Cherokee Nation General Practice invite.  

We made some of our staple dinners this week: Chicken Tikka Masala with Naan, Hamburgers and Chicken Noodle Soup and rolls.  The rolls I buy are Peyton's favorite.  They are just the dinner rolls that come in a bag frozen.  You take them out and put them in a pan and they unthaw, rise and get very large before cooking them.

I bought two plants:  Pony Palm and a Pink Nerve Plant.  Both are animal safe.  I need to repot both of them.  Right now, they are chilling outside for the sun.

Just some of the things I put together.

Fred likes to escape out the door.  Sometimes, I let him wander with a watchful eye.  This morning he went further than he had before.

He tells me I don't need to work as much and slept partly on the mouse and keyboard.  I love this cat.

Monthly Musings: Fall Favorites

 

Monthly Musings is such a fun link up!  This one has to do with Fall and Fall is my favorite!!

1. Favorite Fall Tradition?

I LOVE getting pumpkins and decorating the porch!

I love going apple picking, corn mazing and pumpkin patching!

2. Favorite Halloween Tradition?

Since my kids are older, for Halloween we've been going to Haunted Houses each year.

Last year, it was a Haunted Maze outside and it was so much fun.  It was literally in the middle of nowhere.

3. What will Halloween look like this year for you and your family?

Not sure yet.  We haven't thought that far ahead .  I'm not sure how the Haunted Houses are operating or if we want to be that close to people.  Maybe find another outdoor one to visit.  I'll have to start looking.

4. Share your favorite fall recipe

It's chili!  There are so many ways to make it!

Also, any soup!  I love soup!  

5. Favorite Fall Fashion Staples

The easy leggings, sweater and boots combo.

6. Favorite Halloween Costume

When I did dress up, I would go as Rosie the Riveter. It was easy and fun!

7. Favorite Halloween Candy

Candy Corns!  And chocolate!

8. Favorite Family Halloween Movie

Hocus Pocus is always fun to watch!

9. Scary Movies

100% yes!  I love them!!

10. Favorite Fall Beverage

Apple Cider!  And Hot Chocolate!

Another weekend gone...

 Happy Monday!  How was your weekend?  Anything exciting happen?

On Friday, Alli passed her driver's test!  Yay!  We officially have a driver!  We went out to eat to celebrate.  Eating out is weird now.

Peyton only had two days of in person school last week.  This is what it looked like.

I went to a plant sale pop-up and purchased a pony palm.  I am trying my hardest to keep it safe from the cats.  I keep it outside during the day.

Peyton buys, sells and trades shoes.  I took him to a store and he made $100 profit on a pair.  He wants to own a shoe resell store when he gets older.  I think he's well on his way to doing so.  He wanted to go to Steak N Shake after the errand.  Honestly, it was the best service we had ever received there.

I had planted some Morning Glories, but Draco destroyed them and I thought they were lost forever.  About three weeks ago, they started opening up in my rose bush in the morning.

On Sunday, we grabbed some Taco Bell and visited my grandfather.  He enjoyed us there.  I facetimed Tanner so he could talk to him.

Freddie has been wanting to go outside so much lately.  I take him out there supervised and he seems to enjoy it and then wants to come in.  I think it's just me being afraid someone will hurt him out there.

Happy Fri-yay!

 Happy Fri-yay!  This week actually flew by!

Peyton had two days in school and three virtual days.  Alli is finally approaching tests in her online classes.  She has to get a few done before her DMV appointment today!  

Her birthday was on Tuesday.  She had online school and then went to dinner at her dad's house.  (since we had already done a big dinner here)

I started doing my Zumba:Strong videos again.  I wish I could take the in person class I paid for back in March.  I don't know if I should ask for a refund at this point.  I had also paid for a kickboxing class (5 sessions) and only got to go to one before the lock down.  

Work has been super busy, but it's boring.  Going through emails that people send can be draining.  A lot do not give identifying info (like they used to do on voicemails) or they complain they cannot get through to customer service.  I've also received a weird selfie (not a nude, thank goodness) and random things for other agencies.  We are again being a catch-all since other agencies cannot post their contact info.  Those items just go into the netherlands.  We get a lot of blank emails too.  I've figured out a glitch in the system and I don't think the PDS team is super happy with me that I discovered it before them.  They are talking with the program developers about it.

I had a Board Recruitment Committee meeting via Zoom.  That was interesting.  We ran out of time and didn't get through our whole agenda.

I signed up for two exchanges this month.  One if just a regular secret pal type one and the other is a book exchange.  I sent lots of pen pal letters.  I finally received one back!  I, honestly, was getting worried.  I didn't think I would get any back and I would have to start the search again.  I do need to get some more Kansas postcards so I can do some postcrossing.  

I watched the Challenger limited series on Netflix. Watch it.  It's so good.  I did get choked up a bit on the final two episodes.

Not much happening.  I am not sure what we are doing this weekend?  Anyone have any exciting plans?

Outside in my front yard Pinteresting.  My neighbors back yard is adjacent to my front yard.  That is all his plant overspill.

Perfect for Fall!

Draco splooting

Watching the Challenger

Who could resist a sleeping Fred Fred?

Peyton working on school with a little help from Fred and Buster.

On Monday Mornings....

 Happy Monday!  Early mornings are a thing now.  I know a lot of people are used to early mornings and like them.  I am okay with them, but I liked my extra hour of sleep I was getting until school started. :)

What is your normal morning routine?

I wake up, let the dogs out, wake up the hybrid learner (he hates it already) so he can get ready, wake up the online learner and take her to go pick up her lunch, I did an online lesson in a program, I checked Instagram and my email and now I'm blogging.   I'm getting ready to log in to work in a few minutes.  I'm sure there is a lot to do since we seem to accumulate so much over the weekend.

This weekend, we hosted Alli's birthday at our house.  It was my family and one of her friends came.

Here are the first day of school pictures from last week.

Our weekend was pretty chill.  Peyton went to his dad's house and they went paintballing.  Alli had to work on Friday/Saturday.

I went grocery shopping and party shopping.  I'm not very exciting. :)

How was everyone else's weekend?  Did you do anything fun?

10 on the 10th: Questions about School Starting

What does back to school look like in your home or community this year?

Whew!  One of my children is doing hybrid school and one of them is doing remote learning.

Hybrid school started yesterday and he did remote today.  That was fun.

Complete remote learning started today.

It's going to be an adventure.  

Does your state or city offer a back to school tax free weekend?  If so, do you plan your back to school shopping around it?  What kinds of things do you buy? 

I know the state next to us does.  I am not sure if Kansas does.  I don't pay attention.  Haha.  

Do your children wear school uniforms?  If so, what do they look like?  If not, is there a strict dress code in place?  What are your thoughts 

on school uniforms?  Did you wear a uniform? 

My kids do not wear uniforms and there isn't a super strict dress code.  It's pretty normal.  School uniforms don't bother me either way.  I did not wear an uniform when I went to school.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?  Did you plan to go to college? 

I wanted to be a teacher.  I did plan to go to college and I did...to be a teacher.  I am not a teacher. :)

What sports did you play, what clubs were you in?  Were you a cheerleader? 

I was on the swim team, in the community service club and environmental club.

Did you buy lunch or take lunch?  If you took lunch from home, who made your lunch?  What was your favorite school lunch? 

I bought lunch from school a majority of the time.  Occasionally, I would pack a lunch.  My favorite school lunch was the pizza.  Or chicken patty sandwiches.

To what group or click did you belong?  At my school we had the jocks, the parking lot gang, popular kids.  Where did you fit in?  Were you in a sorority?  If so, which one?

I didn't really fit in anywhere.  I just was a go with the flow, do my own thing kind of person.

Did you spend much time in the library?  What was your favorite class? 

Pretty much none.  I didn't like the school library.  It was brand new and I just didn't like it.  My favorite classes were science and social studies classes.  I took a lot of both. 

What are some of your favorite high school memories?  Homecoming?  Prom?  Have you returned for any class reunions?

I'm not sure.  I graduated early.  I didn't really care much about things.

I have not gone to my class reunions.  I have no interest in reunions with most of the humans I went to school with.  I am maybe in touch with 2-3  of them and I am okay with that.  I have no interest in hearing about the latest MLM from them.

How old were you when you started school?  Did you have a favorite teacher? 

I started preschool at four.  I can't recall a teacher really standing out and being my favorite.  I did like Mr. Poplau.  He wrote a book.

Long Weekend!

Thank goodness for that long weekend!  I don't think I would have survived it without that extra day.

Peyton doesn't start school until Wednesday and Alli starts remote learning on Thursday.

From reading the community page, I feel sorry for a lot of these kids, their parents are highly confused on every single thing.  It's all written out in emails, in the online newsletter, Facebook announcements, text messages, and voice messages.  I don't know how they could communicate clearer.  I have my kids ducks in a row, so we will just keep on going forward.

On Friday, I started cleaning out my extra bedroom.  It has been used for storage for the past year.  I am going to turn it into an office/guest room (since it has a nice bed in there already).  I did a lot of work on it and still have so much more to do.  

On Saturday, I spent 12 hours helping my grandfather move from one facility to the other.  My car was loaded up with the kitchen stuff and my mom had all the bathroom stuff.  I unpacked all of that on my own and watched over my nieces as my sister and brother-in-law loaded all the furniture.  I sorted through boxes and set his TV/DVD player up, so he would have something to watch that evening.  (Direct TV is going to be set up today)

On Sunday, I went back over to the old apartment to help load the rest of the stuff and clean up a little.  We had some other business to take care of also and it didn't go as expected.  (I'm seriously going to write a novel on this whole thing, it gets more crazy by the day. Haha)

I was so exhausted and grumpy and hid it pretty well. :)

On Monday, Alli and I went to the Apple Orchard and the Sunflower field, with a stop at Sonic in between.  It was a good day.  After we got back, she headed over to a BBQ that her dad and Peyton were attending (only six people besides them and family), then she was off to work for the night.  I worked on my office for a while.  I've made some headway, but still so much to do.  We have boxes of DVDs.  What do people do with those?  Do they donate them?  I found some more books for the Little Free Library.

How was your long weekend?

Draco boy loves laying on me.  I tried to get him to look at the camera and this is what I got!

I think we were on hour seven of moving here.  lol.  My niece is sitting on top of me.

Apple Cider Slush!

These doughnuts were so fresh and delicious

Happy Fri-yay!

 Happy Friday!  We've made it another week!  

Tanner Facetimed on Monday for two hours.  He had pulled a 15 hour shift! Whew!  He asked that when we all get together, we Facetime him.  That will be at Alli's birthday party.

Speaking of Alli's birthday party, we have that all planned out!  I called and invited everyone, even my Papa is coming.  (I have a big story to tell about him, but I can't say anything yet, well, you will find out why later.  Sorry to be so vague)  We picked up some decorations and decided on the menu and cake. She wants VS underwear, a bullet journal and a gift card to a local hair place to get highlights.

Alli bought herself a car.  It's super cute and she has an air freshener in it that reminds me of the 90s Bath and Body Works scent that smells like a daisy. Ahhh!  I loved that scent. 

I had my IUD replaced on Wednesday.  I'll have to write about the experience sometime.  I'll put a TMI warning on it.

I'm almost all caught up on Big Brother, I'm only two episodes behind now!  I watched four of them this week.

I have been given the task at work to put together a webex on how to be more productive and efficient in your work day.  I have to figure out how to do that with what I have going on next week.

The Blood Drive is all set up and ready to go.  I released the link to the league members and we've already had 7 sign up.  Our goal is 43 people and 30 pints of blood.  I have volunteers to help me already, which makes me super happy.

I started a new meal planning board.  It lists everything available for breakfast and lunches and it gives choices on dinners.  I put six dinners on there and we cross them out as we go.  I like it, because I don't have to rack my brain at dinner time to remember what we have.

Alli and I tried a new sandwich shop her friend works at.  Don't worry, we had masks, we just took them off to eat and drink and we were outside.

My big doggo, Buster, always wants to lay on my legs.  I woke up this morning and he had shoved me to one side of the bed.  Haha.

Alli's new car!!  Look how cute!

Draco was being a cute cute since he decided to run off twice that day.

He doesn't really run off, but he zoomies around our yard and both of the neighbors houses.  We chase after him for some reason, even though when he's done, he comes and knocks on the door.  Seriously.  Both dogs knock on the door after they take their potty breaks to be let back in.

Throw back to Peyton when he was little. Mr Ratty was his favorite stuffed animal.  We still have it somewhere.  

Tanner golfing in the dessert!  It got super dark not too long after this and he went out searching for golf balls.

Next week holds:

Helping my Papa move to a new senior living community.

Monday holiday!

Apple Picking!

Jury Duty!

Alli and Peyton start school!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!