Thursday, October 27, 2016

Currently: October Edition

Oh hey, it's the last week of October. How did that happen? Here's what's currently going on in my world.

Reading:  Heart Like Mine by Amy Hatvany. This is a book I've owned for years that I'm finally getting around to reading. One of my goals for the year was to read 12 books I own, and this is the 10th book I'm reading for that goal, so I'm fairly close to completing that goal!

Loving: how cuddly Oscar has been lately. I haven't spent much time sitting on the couch lately since I've had a go go go schedule, so when I do sit down, Oscar jumps right up into my lap. I think it's her way of trying to get me to relax more.  It's pretty effective as who can resist a cute cat in their lap??





Frustrated: by all the political ads. I can't wait for this election to be over as I'm tired of listening to ad after ad after ad. I know advertising is part of the political process but I can't help but think of all the good that could be done if even half or one quarter of the money spent on ads was given to charities.


Feeling: a little overwhelmed by my schedule lately. I know I sound like a broken record saying that. October has been a fun month, but a bit over-planned. This week I've had a crochet class and book club, we have a wedding reception on Friday, I have a knitting class on Saturday morning and then on Saturday we are hosting some friends for chili + pumpkin carving and I have dinner plans on Sunday evening.  It's all fun stuff, but just a lot of stuff for one week! I really need a plan-free day soon! 

Thinking: about changes I need to make to avoid having an overly full calendar. I keep saying my schedule is too busy but I haven't really done anything about it.  I think I need to start to hold certain days of the week as plan-free nights. I did say no to 2 invitations for get-togethers this week so I guess that's progress... 

Anticipating: hosting our annual pumpkin carving party this Saturday. We host Phil's college friend each year and it's such a fun event.  This year we are having it in the late afternoon so that our friends with kids can attend. I'm serving 2 kinds of chili and cornbread and a friend is bringing pumpkin bars. It's going to be such a fun and delicious night!  I'll be sure to share pictures of our pumpkins works of art.

Watching: the 2nd season of Bloodline on Netflix. We don't like it as much as the first season but are going to see it through until the end.


Working: on crocheting a chevron afghan and knitting a pair of socks. Now that it's cold out, I'm all about the yarn crafts.


This weekend I will learn how to make the heel of the socks!
Sad: that the warm summer/fall days are behind us. I'm not ready for colder temps!!

Grateful: that I had more than enough airline miles to buy my Spain plane ticket. That significantly cuts down the cost of the trip!


Listening:  to a new book podcast called "From the Front Porch." It's a podcast hosted by the owner, Annie, and a staff member, Chris, of a bookstore in southern Georgia. I learned about this podcast when Annie was a guest on Anne Bogel's podcast, "What Should I Read Next." Warning - listening to this podcast might make you want to quit your job and buy an independent bookstore. 

Wishing: that there was one 3-day weekend a month. I do have a vacation coming up so I can't complain too much I'd love to have more long weekends!


What are you reading, anticipating, and grateful for these days? 

16 comments:

Marlys said...

Those socks look so cozy and warm - perfect for our soon to be winter weather!
Fall is always a busy time for us, as there is so much outside work to accomplish before we button down the hatches for winter!
I haven't hardly read a book lately, so do look forward to that when winter weather arrives!

Emilie said...

Oh, we love Bloodline! We zipped through season 2 in two weeks! I do think it got better towards the end of the season. I didn't realize season 2 had only 10 episodes and I was so annoyed at the end of the finale because I thought there'd be a few more. I find my kitties are much more apt to snuggle when the weather turns cooler. They never, ever sleep in our bed when it's warm out but lately we've had to kick the boys out of our room because they take up the whole bed. I've also been feeling overwhelmed by my schedule lately, but luckily in another few weeks I won't have to go anywhere or do anything for a while ;)

I'm not reading at all! Boo. I just can't concentrate on anything, not even baby books! I'm anticipating Noah's arrival, and grateful he is healthy and growing.

missris said...

"I can't help but think of all the good that could be done if even half or one quarter of the money spent on ads was given to charities." YEP. How many people could we feed and clothe with the money that's spent on those awful ads, and flyers, and yard signs, etc. UGH.

Jeanie said...

I love those Oscak pics! And yes, I'm frustrated on the election too. Just so tired of it.

Trying hard to make my book goal this year -- nine away and time is running out, given that the holidays bring so many other things. It shouldn't matter but for whatever reason, it does!

Your pumpkin party sounds like great fun! I know you'll share pix! And I LOVE the afghan!

Nora said...

Reading: Shockingly nothing! You'd think with all the time I spent at hospitals & now the rehab center I'd be reading but it was impossible to focus on things, not to mention all the interruptions in the day with people coming and going and etc.

Anticipating: Getting my dad out of rehab & home. Thanksgiving (my brother will still be here and his GF is coming now, too). A lot of changes in my life that have happened and are coming up in the next few months.

Grateful: my tribe. my friends, my family, health professionals, modern medicine and the fact that for the most part, the worst of my dad's recovery is behind us.

A pumpkin carving night sounds so fun! Can't wait to see the photos :)

Carolina John said...

The worst part of this election cycle is that it will take until Christmas before I watch all of the shows on my DVR with political ads on them. drives me insane. I still have 2 recordings of the olympics that I haven't watched.

San said...

Wow, look at your knitting/crocheting progress. This is awesome. I am looking forward to more cozy evenings of knitting/crocheting this fall/winter.

When you say your calendar is too full, do you mean you have something planned every single day? That would drive me crazy! I need my wind-down time at night... although I wouldn't mind sometimes having a bit more of a social life.

Charbelle said...

Love the pictures of Oscar always!!! It's very hard to reign the schedule in, it's necessary and once you get used to it, it does get easier!!! I'm with you I want the political ads to be over!!! Love the chevron blanket!!!

katielookingforward said...

i highly recommend voting absentee next time, i did this year and it is so freeing to know that my vote is already on its way and I don't have to debate with myself anymore.

Abby said...

Those socks are amazing! How neat!

And on the contrary here in AZ...I am DYING for some cool temps. It was 98 yesterday. It was 74 degrees when I ran at 5am this morning. This is unseasonably warm for us! It will pass....hopefully!!

That sounds like such a fun tradition - the pumpkin carving! Looking forward to see what creative pumpkins you come up with. I have a feeling there will be a cat....?? ;)

I agree with you on the political ads. I'm so over it.

Hope you can find some balance in your schedule. I read this article about guarding your time - and that in your planner - every week you should write down your top 3 priorities. And every time someone invites you to something, ask yourself it that event aligns with your top 3 priorities...and if it doesn't - you're supposed to say no. I've been really bad lately, as well, about over committing. And then this week with all the health stuff -- I freaked out and started canceling on people left and right. Which is also a terrible trait :S

Hopefully next week will be better ;)

Stephany said...

I'm reading for the political ads to be over AND with all the debating on FB and Twitter. I never want to be on social media anymore because it's all politics, all the time. Blah.

I definitely think you should hold a few days as sacred where you don't make any plans. You have a very busy schedule, but you have to make sure you are taking care of Lisa first and foremost.

I'm currently reading a Regency romance, anticipating my girls weekend next weekend, and grateful for all the freelance work I've gotten as it has eased my financial worries a LOT.

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

I totally agree with you about the over-scheduling. Even if it's fun stuff, it's draining to be go-go-go all the time. This month seemed pretty crazy, and I am looking forward to a quieter, more relaxed November.

There should totally be a long-weekend every month! Heck, wouldn't it be great if every weekend was a three day weekend!? I'd work longer hours to make that a reality. In Saskatchewan we have a three day weekend 10 out of the 12 months, so that's not too bad I guess.

J and A said...

Oscar is so sweet and cuddly! I love the chevron blanket! You are so talented! Well done!!

Amber said...

I'm going to have to check out that book podcast! You can never have too many book podcasts on the go!! I have had two pretty busy weekends and I think that might be why my cough continues to drag on. This coming weekend will be busy as well as Eric is off work and I'm throwing a surprise early 30th birthday party for him, but the weekend after this one Eric will be working and it's a long weekend, so I'm hoping I can just totally veg out and relax and have three shouldless days in a row that weekend! I think Oscar's cuddles are totally her way of telling you to slowww down mom! :)

Elizabeth said...

Love the crafting---it all looks so cozy! A few unplanned days a week sounds like a great approach. These days I try to keep one weekend day free to "rejuvenate and relax" and only agree to 1 or maybe 2 social things on the evenings during the week. But I also teach into the evenings on two nights a week so it sort of makes my evenings busier anyway I guess.

Linda said...

Being overplanned is my vice. :(

Currently reading The Nest which you already know. Anticipating seeing my family during Thanksgiving. Grateful for my social network in Texas.