Is it too early for Christmas Mode? I say no!

That being said, I have to share some November content.  Here is my coffee station decked out for Turkey Day. The turkey has feathers on it and shows what youngest child was grateful for on a day long ago. - Family, Friends, School, and Home, I think it would be safe to say that she is still grateful for those same things and also Harry Styles, Dunkin Donuts coffee, and her Learner's Permit. 

The Hubs is grateful that Aldi's has these very quirky potato chips that he thinks tastes great. He is planning to go buy more as he finished his bag yesterday.  

And now a book review!  

Merry Scary Victorian Christmas: A Victoria Town Mystery Novella by Mollie Cox Bryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Yes, I know it is only the beginning of November, but this year more than ever I'm ready for holiday reading. Bring on the tales of Christmas trees, scenes about making cookies, and a murder or two. This third book in the Victoria Town Mystery series is a nice read to kick off your holiday season.

Viv has more bad luck when it comes to being on the scene when someone meets an untimely demise. Someone is framed for the murder, but Officer Willoughy, clearly isn't falling for the framing. Viv uses her skills as a hacker to narrow down the list of suspects and a new character is introduced who offers a clue for Viv.

I enjoyed the book and getting to know Viv better. If you love a good Christmas mystery, pick this one up!

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13 days until Halloween! How are you celebrating the Season?

 Because I have the "I Heart Radio" on my phone, I got a notification today for what they call a 3-D podcast for Halloween. It's like Tales from the Crypt for your ears, lots of background sounds as you listen to a creepy story this is less than 30 minutes.  A great way to enjoy the spooky month of October while you are cooking, cleaning, or walking the dog. 

Yesterday afternoon I was making phone calls to voters and while no one could see me, I decided why not wear some Autumnal Aldi gear. How cute are these socks!  The green leggings are also from Aldi. I'm glad I embraced the legging lifestyle, I may never wear pants that button or zip again. 

One Dark and Stormy Knight: A Cozy Witch Mystery by Hermione Moon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you grew up reading tales of King Arthur and you love reading cozy mysteries, you've got to read this book!
This novella length book has a decent mystery and a nice cast of characters. Even though this is a paranormal, I would say there is one small plot point that is a bit hard to believe, but I decided to go with it and not let one small thing stop my general enjoyment of the book.

Hermione Moon has created a lovely town that you'll want to visit again and again!

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What I'm Up To This Week -Halloween Talk!

 

My favorite kinds of ravioli are back at Aldi! Yum! If you haven't tried these yet, go get some.  Pumpkin and Sage as well as Butternut Squash.  Trader Joe's has an Autumn Alfredo which is great with these or you can just use a little melted or browned butter. Delicious for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

Thus far October weather has been very kind to those of us in Illinois. I am hoping this trend continues as it makes running outside so enjoyable. Based on my personal experience, I think people are really throwing themselves into decorating for Halloween this year and I am here for it! 

One of my goals this week is to make a lifesized scarecrow for our front porch.  My delay is really just a matter of stuffing. I think I can use old clothes in lieu of hay or straw. If I hold out making the scarecrow until I go find and purchase hay, I'm not going to get it done. 

Middle son has procured a temp job working for a drugstore chain, fortunately, they take mask-wearing very seriously--as a store with a pharmacy should. Note to self, remind said child to get his flu shot ASAP. 

What am I reading right now?  I'm finishing Emerald Blaze today and then I will have to wait for Ilona Andrews to write the third book in this trilogy! 

Then for the upcoming week, I'm reading witchy books--starting with One Dark and Stormy Knight: A Cozy Witch Mystery 

#FraterfestRAT !

My Best Advice for Sunday Nights

How is it already Sunday night?  The weekend really flies when you work Monday through Friday. This is just another reminder about how my 4-day work week program would be the central plank of my imaginary presidential campaign.

But anyway, my best advice for Sunday nights is to take just 10 minutes and go over your upcoming week. Check in with your calendar and see how the month is going. This can help you to keep plans, make sure you remember what auto pays are coming out before your next paycheck, and maybe help you avoid forgetting that school ends early on Tuesday.

I like to look at my week ahead, then review my current month and lastly plan out quarterly - with a loose framework, more of a goals focus.  I used to get much further out with goals, but last year cancer told me a thing or two- so right now I'm not thinking about retirement or five years from now or really anything past 2020.  I guess this is a good thing? be present in the moment?

Just think this time last year, I was feeling sad, pondering what I would do with myself when the kids were gone.  Ha!  Foolishness. As someone probably said, don't get ahead of yourself worrying about something that is over 1/2 a decade away--unless it's climate change, then don't just worry - do something.

Gel Pens and Stickers are integral to my planning.  Got the big box of pens for Christmas from the Hubs, I'm sure he found them on sale- he loves a good sale!.  I got the stickers w/a coupon at Michaels and my planner is from Aldi! Yes, Aldi!  The Aisle of Surprises is home to all kinds of good stuff! 

All the wise organizers will tell you to use a different color for each person's schedule in your family or to signify different activities (gym, tan, laundry,etc) and it seems like a solid plan.  I do not. I just use whatever color I feel like using at the moment and overall my goal is to make my calendar as colorful as possible. I don't want my life to be too organized!

Happy Sunday Night!

Where Is My Medal?

Man-o-Man yesterday was a long day for me! Good thing it was Friday. If it had been a Tuesday and I still had the rest of the workweek ahead of me, I might have cried.  I had scheduled to do a Secret Shop after my radiation.  Wouldn't you know that the one day I had a time-sensitive errand is the day that the radiation appointment took literally three times as long as usual? 

I made it to the secret shop with about 20 seconds to spare and then the shop took just under two hours. Ideally, it would have taken  40 min. So that was longer than expected. 

But then we get to the real trying part of my day.  I went to Jewel at 6pm on a Friday.  That's just crazy. The worst time to go!  Busy and all the carts were wet because it was raining. Wait, there is more. Then Jewel was sold out of all the really good 3-day specials that were the basis of my grocery list and the whole point of going to Jewel over Aldi.

Nevertheless, I persisted. I was home by 8pm. Long day.  I would have skipped the grocery store if not for the looming "Winter Storm Warning." I was freaking exhausted.  The fact that I don't like the family to put away the groceries because they don't know how to do it the right way really worked against me. I plan to spend the weekend recovering from my very long but not bad Friday.

In all honesty, it's a delight to complain about simple things like a lack of $1.99 ground turkey.

5 radiation treatments down, 20 to go.  The universe smiled upon me this morning when I was greeted by 5 crocus buds about to blossom.