What's Up Wednesday-October 2021

 

Hey there Besties.  Can you believe it is the end of October? When in the world did that happen? This has been a delightful month and one I don't want to see go. Today, as I often do,  I am linking up with Shay and Sheaffer for What's Up Wednesday (and don't forget to join Holly and me for Monthly Musings tomorrow). Time to get all cozy and find out what we have been up to in October. 

What We Are Eating This Week

Hockey Guy is now at the point in the season where he is playing hockey 7 days a week. This makes dinner interesting due to timing and some nights he needs a light meal before practice and some nights he gets home at a more reasonable hour and wants food and fast. I am really trying to get into a dinner groove here but have not really figured it out. Here is probably what we are having this week.

Monday-Turkey and black bean enchiladas. These were amazing and so Good on a fall night. 

Tuesday-This will be a light meal night. Maybe a grilled cheese and fruit for Hockey Guy and the leftover enchiladas for me.

Wednesday-Pork tenderloin, roasted potatoes and broccoli if we have time to make real dinner after the game.

Thursday-I am going out with a dear friend, they boys are on their own.

Friday-some type of easy takeout after the game.

What I am Reminiscing About

I know, I post a form of this photo every year, but it's my favorite. When Hockey Guy was four, we went to Disney for the first time and attended Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and I packed his Woody the Cowboy outfit. He was (and still is) the cutest. The cast members at Disney just loved him.

I am also remembering back to last October when there was a very toned down Homecoming and we were all still pretty much locked down. Things are Better, but I am still really longing for things to get back to more normal. 

What I'm Loving

I am loving seeing Hockey Guy play hockey. I didn't go to one regular season high school game last season due to COVID and only went to one or two games for his travel team. I am loving watching him play. He has such Good friends on both teams and they all get along so well. I love that my in laws can come and see him play. This guy has played since he was five and he is finally in the place he has wanted to be for so long. This is my Joy, being a hockey mom.  

On a less deep note, I am loving the Biolage Smooth Proof line of hair products. I was recently gifted the entire line to review and I love it. It completely smooths my hair without weighing it down. It keeps my hair totally straight throughout the day. I will be buying this in the future.

What We've Been Up To

We have all been up to a lot of work, but also really enjoying our weekends. I got in a trip to see my mom and my sister and took my mom to lunch. I stopped at a really Good farm stand, I love a farm stand.

Running Daddy finally got to participate in the 5K he helped to found. And guess what? He placed second overall and took first place in his age group. I was so happy for him.

My ladies and I walked the race and snapped a picture by my sponsorship sign.

Hockey Guy finally got to attend Homecoming with all of the fun, even if they had to wear masks. I am so glad these kids finally got to do something fun. It was so close to being normal and I loved seeing the kids all dressed up.

I also received my COVID booster and gave two more blood samples for the research program I am in at Johns Hopkins to track the long term impact of the COVID vaccine on people with chronic illnesses. It's all about the science Besties, and I am committed to doing my part. 

What I'm Dreading

The only down part of the month is that I went to the doctor and I have tendonitis in my IT band and also arthritis in my knee. I am a little frustrated about the arthritis part, but this goes along with Lupus. I am dreading trying to figure out another piece of the puzzle in my health journey. I start PT this week and will just have to see what they say. I will take any hints you have about arthritis in the comments below.

What I'm Working On

In addition to working on some really fun posts for Good Better Best and the holiday launches for my Stella & Dot business, I am working on managing our household Better in this season of commuting, working from home, hockey every day and trying to enjoy life.

This is not very exciting, but I am working hard to keep our laundry under control. It's amazing how much laundry one teenage boy can generate! What is kind of working for us is to do the laundry during the week and then fold on the weekends. I know that is not a great system, but it is working for us. Even if the laundry is in a laundry basket, it is clean and then I can fold on the weekends early in the morning while I watch the Hallmark Channel. I welcome any laundry tips in the comments below!

I am also working on how to manage dinner during the week when there is hockey every night. Some early practices and some late practices. This just started a few weeks ago and I am still trying to find the balance. Again, I welcome any ideas you can share in the comments. 

What I'm Excited About

I am excited about the next three months. Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas seems to be even more fun this year after all we have been through in the last two years. Anyone else feeling the same way? 

What I'm Watching/Reading

Lately, I am reading a lot of Southern Living and Better Homes & Gardens for inspiration. I don't have a lot if time to sit and read but maybe when I am on a plane in a few weeks (eek) for the first time in a long time.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills-

This season was epic and I am totally down for a four part reunion.

There is totally part of me that not so secretly wishes that Andy Cohen would call up his Best bud Anderson Cooper and have him come out and question Erika. I mean, Andy is doing a Good job but Anderson interviewing her and asking the questions would be amazing. 

American Crime Story: Impeachment

I worked as a political staffer in Washington while this happened in real life. It was a very trying time in our country no matter what side of the political aisle you were on. This show is one of the Best things I have ever watched. It's so well done. They don't hide the subject matter but they also don't make it any more graphic or salacious than they need to. Believe me, talking about this is enough.

Hockey Guy even watched the last two episodes with us, he is in high school so he is old enough, and said he is going to go back and binge the beginning. This is also really interesting to watch how Monica Lewinsky was treated now that I am a grown up and a parent. I was one of those people back in the day who was very unfair in the way I talked about her with my friends, and I honestly feel bad about this today.

If you thought you already knew everything about this story, check it out. The way it unfolds is intense and is one of the Best things on tv, period.

LuLa Rich

This was indeed a fascinating documentary. Was it greed? Was it complete and total lack of experience in business? I think it was both of the above.

Hallmark Channel Countdown to Christmas

Hallmark's Countdown to Christmas kicked off this past weekend and I am so happy. It's my favorite even though I watch the Hallmark movies all year long. If you don't like Hallmark, keep on scrolling.

What I'm Listening to

I am listening to all my normal podcasts such as Bitch Sesh, Two Judgey Girls and Everything Iconic but have also added in the Bestie Breakdown. I also found a really Good podcast called the Bravo Docket that is hosted by two attorneys that go through the legal ins and outs of any Bravo legal cases. As you can imagine, they have a lot of material.

What I'm Wearing

I have a few things that I just bought that I am really loving for fall. 

Judy Blue Adelene Girlfriend Jeans

The boyfriend/girlfriend jeans are a little tricky for me. I wanted a pair but it took me a bit to find the right ones. I love these Adelene Girlfriend jeans from Judy Blue. I was able to find them through a new service from Stitch Fix called Freestyle. I have a little bit of a complicated relationship with Stitch Fix and kind of stopped their service a few years ago. This new service allows you to buy one item at a time and helps you coordinate what you already have. 

I have always found Stitch Fix really Good and figuring out how to choose pants that fit me properly especially jeans. I am wearing these jeans on repeat. If you want to try Stitch Fix, including Free Style, you can use my code here. 

I am also loving the Rothy's squared toe flats shown above. Rothy's are my all time favorite brand of shoes, I own about five pair. I am loving this updated style. If you want to try Rothy's you can save $20 by using my code here. 

I am also loving this Cranberry Heather Puff Sleeve sweatshirt. Puff sleeves are having a moment and I am totally here for it. I wore it with grey pants this week but it would also look really Good with dark jeans. 

What I'm Doing This Weekend

We have high school hockey, travel hockey and my friend is coming over and we are going to watch a little Hallmark Saturday night. 

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month

Goodness, there is so much to look forward to in November. We have a hockey tournament in Chicago and we are all looking forward to that. I am also looking forward to Thanksgiving, in whatever form it takes. I can't wait to start my Christmas shopping and will hit a little early Black Friday morning shopping too. 

I also think I will make sure to get our house decorated for Christmas, minus the tree Thanksgiving weekend if possible.

What Else is New

Be sure to join Holly and me tomorrow for Monthly Musings.  This month we are talking Fall Fun and Traditions. Be sure to join us tomorrow as a reader and if you want to blog with us and answer the questions below, we would love to have you join us. See you back here tomorrow!