What's Up Wednesday-November 2022

 

Wow, the end of November Besties. This month has had some highs and lows but I love that we are in the thick of the holiday season.  Let's jump in and talk all things November and link up with Sheaffer and Shay .  Grab a cozy beverage, light the fireplace and settle in for November What's Up Wednesday.

What We're Eating This Week

This is going to be a busy week and frankly, I am still not feeling all that well. As I have been known to say, we have a house full of food, so we will figure it out depending on the schedule and how I a feeling. If we end up doing burgers and dogs, so be it.

What I'm Reminiscing About

This past week had us reminiscing about the last few Thanksgivings that we totally scaled back. We had a rather grand Thanksgiving this year and it was so needed.

We have also been reminiscing about Turkey Trots of the past. This is the first year in over a decade that Running Daddy didn't do a Turkey Trot. He was thinking about doing the one in Williamsburg, VA but they opted for an early tee time.

What I'm Loving

Honestly, at the moment, I am loving that it is now socially acceptable to listen to Christmas music, drink a peppermint mocha and watch Christmas movies 24/7. 

What We've Been Up To

Despite the fact that I have once again been sick for a month, not COVID this time, we have actually been up to a lot. 

For work, I updated all of our post-election information and I am also preparing for our corporate board meeting. I love the post-election time because then I can really clean things up.

We have also had a lot of hockey and it has really been fun. We had a tournament mid-month in Ft. Lauderdale. The weather down there was great and we had no issues with our flights. I am super grateful for the parents who help me on Friday afternoons when I end up working but am supposed to have the afternoon off and also nurse moms who help look after an injury and make sure Hockey Guy could play safely.

We also had a delightful trip to Williamsburg, VA for Thanksgiving. We had a few days for golf, shopping, spa treatments and a delightful Thanksgiving dinner at the Kingsmill Resort. 

What I'm Dreading

As I mentioned above, I have basically been sick for a month, again. Not COVID this time but something connected to my autoimmune disorders. When I went to see an ENT specialist in January after this happened at Christmas time 2021, he told me that if it happened again, what the next steps would be. Besties, we are at that place. I dreading the test I have to have done in  the next few weeks especially the MRI part. While I am dreading what I have to go through over the next few weeks, it will be Good to get to the bottom of what is going on with my health.

What I'm Working On

The fall decor has come down and now I am trying to make sure that things are dusted and ready for the Christmas decorations can come up. I am hoping to do a little bit each night.

I am working on all of the Christmas shopping. Trying to prioritize what needs to get shipped so that I can get those gifts to my elf for wrapping and then finish the local gifts. I did really well on Black Friday and over the cyber weekend but I need to keep going as I feel like December is going to speed by.

On a personal level, I am trying to not let people get to me. I need to realize when some people act out, it's really about them and not anything about me. 

What I'm Excited About

I am excited about all things Christmas. Sitting in church on the first day of Advent with a friend of mine was such a gift. 

We have a big high school rivalry game coming up on Friday night and I am so excited about that. I am not so excited about the 9 pm puck drop but this is always such as fun game. Last year there were about 400 people at the game and they turned away 100 people at the door. There were some parents that almost didn't get into the game. 

What I'm Watching/Reading

I did find some time the other morning while we were on break to read a bit of the biography of Anna Wintour. I am enjoying it but my challenge with reading is always time. When I was single I had way more time to read. I know in a few years when things slow down a bit I will read more.

I have been watching all the Hallmark Christmas movies. We loved Haul Out the Holly. It was funny, and quirky and starred two of my favorites Lacey Chabert and Wes Brown.

I need to catch the end of A Holiday Spectacular because I wasn't feeling well and fell asleep. I was really loving the story and the costumes before I drifted off. 

I also watched The Woman Across the Street from the Girl in the Window. I have mixed emotions about this one. I couldn't tear myself away from this but it was dark. Typically I don't do dark (hello Hallmark) and the last episode really bothered me. I am a big Kristen Bell fan and she is such a versatile actress. Not sure if I just gave this a positive or negative review. 

We did love The Watcher and had a bunch of family conversations and theories about this until the end. This one is also pretty dark but all three of us were so in on this one. I heard there is supposed to be a second season. Hockey Guy called that one. 

What I am Listening To

I am listening to so much Christmas music. I broke the seal I think the week before Thanksgiving so that is not too early. Right?

I love all Christmas music but sometimes I really need my Jesus Christmas music. I love this version of O Come All Ye Faithful by Casting Crowns.

I also love Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant and that song has really gotten me through some tough times with my health. I heard it start to finish the other morning on the radio and it was really what I needed. This song is going to carry me through the next few weeks. 

What I'm Wearing

I haven't been doing much shopping but this fall I did add these wedges from Talbots into my shoe wardrobe. After I wore them once, they broke in and became really comfortable.

For me they ran true to size and give my outfits a little lift when I want to dress up my pants outfits for work. I have not worn them with skirts yet and still trying to decide if they will work with skirts. Thoughts?

You can save 25% off your first Talbots purchase with my code here: https://refer.talbots.com/s/Patricia5200128

Mostly these days I am wearing all of my Christmas graphic tees, and I own a lot of them, when I am not working.

What I'm Doing This Weekend

Friday night is the big rivalry hockey game and I am so excited for it. 

Saturday we have our annual brunch with the nuns that we have not been able to do for years. Saturday night we have another hockey game.

Sunday will mean church, wine club pick up and then decorating the house for Christmas.

What I'm Doing Next Month

The Senator I used to work for is retiring and I just received an invitation to be in the Senate gallery when he gives his farewell speech. Hoping I can make that work in my workday.

The three of us are so looking forward to Christmas this year. It is my favorite season. I get a little overzealous during the Christmas season, but as I said to Running Daddy this weekend, you knew about the Christmas love, I never hid that from you. Thankfully the guys are Christmas lovers too!

I also really love the week between Christmas and New Year's. Things are quieter and people typically have time to get together in a more casual setting.

What Else is New

I think I have covered everything. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you also had a Good November.