Re-entry Week

This is a transition week for me -- still cleaning up post shower today, appointments that I pushed past the shower date (dentist, grooming, volunteer work, etc) and adding a little social time too.

I need a re-entry week. I got that term from an organizer I follow -- she says every big trip needs a re-entry day coming home. No pressure. Time to organize, clean up and also some time for rest. Expectations are lower. The point is to slowly get ready for full-speed again. I needed more than a day -- so I named this week a re-entry week.

Today I'm running all the shower gifts to my son and DIL and grabbing lunch with the kids since 3 of 4 are off today. I'm very glad to have everything out of my office. Hubby is heading to Asheville to get the furnace fixed (hopefully before my trip next week).

Even though I have some tasks to get through this week, I'm very glad to be back to my usual routines. It's been slim pickings and I miss it. 

Part of this week is all the year-in-review stuff and new goals for 2024. I enjoy this part of January. Stay tuned.

I finished this book. I loved it all the way through. The big twist ending wasn't as twisty as I wanted, but it was a very interesting read. I'd recommend it.

Started this last night. Library hold came up. I'm trying to pace the library reads so I don't have 6 at once. WW2 book so it's heavy, but it's been on my list for a long time. 

A little goof this morning cleaning up more from the shower. He's my snack this afternoon.

In other news ... 

I might have a volunteer assignment this week. Waiting to hear more. 

A former foster dog (who we are willed) might come to stay with us for his owner's vacations this year. First time we've been asked. We'll have to see if our schedules coordinate.

Cold snap for GA. I'll need to wait on the hiking club because it's too cold with chilblains. 

Rock painting is coming back in full force. I've really let that go the last 2 months.

Spanish lessons are also gearing up by the end of the month -- Puerto Rico is around the corner.

Garden planning is moving forward too -- nice mix of vegetables and flowers.

Let's get at this week. I'm ready. Later gators.

The Shower - Done & Dusted

It went really, really well. 14 ladies + 6 men who joined at the end. 

The welcome "speech" that had me a little nervous went very smoothly and I think it was my most favorite part of the day. Everyone went around after I finished, introduced themselves and told little stories too. So sweet and felt like a lovely way to celebrate my DIL. 

I'm not going to share people pictures because of these darn bots, but here's the setup. 

Even with my niece, sister and hubby's help the house is in a state of disarray. Only thing on the agenda today is putting things back together and a forever pile of dishes. 

The cake was delicious. The food turned out well. There was really nothing I'd change -- everything went as planned. The weather was beautiful. 

I couldn't sleep well. Tossed and turned most of the night. Too much cake lol?!?!  I only had 2 small pieces. Up at 4 o'clock. Why?!?! Geez. I'm gonna CRASH at some point. 

I hear my sister up. Hope you have a good Sunday. Later gators.

Flowers Galore

So many flowers. There were 2 event planners buying when I was there and the pickings were slimmer than I hoped. Hopefully they last well through Saturday. It took a long time to trim and arrange them. 

Got a free bucket out of it.
Trader Joe's has for anyone
who needs them - FYI.

I finished the flowers, sat down to rest my back and the doorbell rang. More flowers! A rose arrangement for the kids.

I need to adjust the napkin.
It looks random.

I made a really tasty salad dressing for a Kale Caesar Salad with Sweet Potato and Chickpea (HalfBakedHarvest). I'm using spinach instead of kale. The dressing is a faux Caesar with tahini and parm. I had some of it on roasted vegetables and it was awesome. The other salad is a winter pomegranate and pecan green salad from my new DIL. 

Mad dash rush for all the scheduled pickups and drop offs today. It's going to be a crazy ride in the rain.

On top of the long day, I joined in for a virtual garden class at the local farm for garden setup. A lot of good tips -- I'm excited to get started. I wanted to make time for this free class because I'm trying to keep my things in the mix. It was at 7 o'clock so I sat in bed and watched. My book had to wait and that was hard -- it's really, really good! Stay tuned if she lands the ending -- I probably won't read again until Sunday.

Tomorrow is The Day -- eeek! It's finally here. I'm excited, a little nervous, a good deal tired and hopeful this is going to go well. Fingers crossed.

Later gators and bots.

In the Thick of It

It's go-time. Thursday and Friday feel like one continuous day of ALL THE THINGS. The lists are long -- no more practice. It's setup for the real thing. I'm back to a little panic and nervous. Of course. No one actually thought I could easy-breezy this, right?!?!

Still reminding myself to relax on Saturday. Give the welcome "speech," run the shower -- host with intention (thanks, Priya Parker). 

Set up is ready for the parting favors. Adorable, if I do say so myself. Of course, I LOVE little jars and these are so nice. It's hard to tell from the pictures, but they have pretty shape with gold lids. They're Italian so even the words look elegant. I know, just little jars, but they make me happy. It's also a nod to baby food jars.

I tried to make it special. Custom M&Ms with jungle babies (theme). My aunt did the tag art work of Poo Bear and I have a Winnie quote on the back. Tied in a nice gingham bow (thanks to an hour on YouTube). Charming. 

I'm working on my decor today. The biggest is flowers from Trader Joe's. Fingers crossed for a good selection. I have a hair appointment first thing and then off to TJs. I hope I'm not so late to miss the good flowers. If event planners get ahead of me, the selection is picked through. Bad timing on the hair appointment, but it was necessary (complicated schedule).

Weather is a pisser on Friday -- heavy rains and storms all day. That'll jack everything -- cake pick up, quiche pickup, airport pickup. Traffic will be a mess. Nothing we can do about it though. Cold and sunny for the shower. 

That's why I need to get a lot finished today. Friday will be a long and messy day with very little extra time. Making sauces, grilling steak, prepping cheese platters, making salad dressings. The more I get finished today (that can be done), the better.

Wish me luck -- I need it. Later gators.

Pretty Vintage

Saw this on IG. Pretty much sums up my philosophy right now (the middle age manual of loving vintage, pretty, nice smelling things).

My sister likes the same so I got her a little vintage pitcher that reminds me of her as a little girl and bought some pretty colored pens. I thought this was a fun addition to her desk -- and a thank you for coming to the shower and bringing a bunch of chocolate for party gifts. There's a fancy place in her hometown we all love.

Incredibly, she HATES chocolate, so I filled her shower favor with candy corn (her obsession) instead of the m&ms. Trying to have little itty bitty nice touches for everyone.

The build up is here -- Wednesday begins bigger check list days. I'm as ready as I can be and I don't think it'll be as much as I expect. I'm a pro at prep-work and I'm really in good shape. From my lips to God's ears -- as the saying goes. Hopefully, not famous last words lol.

I'm reading this and it's really, really good so far. As in I can't wait to read more, but also want to savor it. I hope the ending holds. If so, it'll probably be a favorite read from the last 12 months. Stay tuned.

My signature "bake" since I was a teenager is Rice Krispie treats and I found out I've spelled them wrong this entire time. I used a 'c' instead.

Cute little signs for the food. They have easels to stand upright. Glad I looked up spellings lol.

That's all from here. I'm getting less panic prone and more excited as it gets closer. Hope you are doing well too. Later gators.

New Dress and I'm Retiring

This is the dress I bought for the baby shower. It's comfortable, "pretty and feminine" but with sleeves so it works for the winter months.

BUT ...

Does it look like I'm wearing a tablecloth or a Granny sofa (which would be oddly appropriate) or that it's vaguely like a maternity dress or that I belong on the prairie?

Too late. It's what I'm wearing, but I am wondering ...

I like the back a lot.

Long boots work better

Prairie??

The checklist is going well. Today is an all-day storm so it's a good day for things at home. Thunder and lightening all night and continuing most of the day. Woke me up and then so many little panics about things I forgot. Sorting a lot of that out today.

I got this book from the library. I didn't remember what it was about, but the title seemed like an upbeat read. Nope, it's a suspense mystery and I'm totally here for it. Perfect gloomy day to fit in some reading.

Something I'm pondering ... I already mentioned I want to focus on myself for the rest of January before "life" winds back up in February. My RN license expires January 31 and I'm not renewing it this time. That seals the deal that I'm permanently retired. 

In fact, I'm considering this my retirement date (even though I haven't worked in years). I decided to mark this time for myself. Something special for me as an appreciation of all the years. Going back to school with 2 small children and a husband who traveled every week. Graduating with a 4.0 and top spot in the nursing program. Working most weekends for years to offset babysitter needs. Holidays spent at the hospital. Holidays rushed at home so I could go into work. Being on-call -- once for 4 months straight. I was the only nurse. Wake up call at 3:25am to work 16 hours until I was mandated off. 

And all the things at work. Too much to mention, but nurses WORK. It's physical, intellectual, mental, emotional. It's not a corporate job. No time at water coolers. No team lunches. Usually no time for meals or breaks or bathroom. 

I put in my time. I put in major effort and I was a good nurse. I want to celebrate that because it deserves celebrating. 

I'm actually really excited about this moment. Marking the end of an era. Not sure how or what or with whom (probably just me), but it's fun to think about and brainstorm. 

Later gators.

Let THE Week Begin

Yesterday was a mixed bag. 

I had a nice zoom with HS friends and then a continued phone call with my best friend after the zoom. I picked up the GF bread and rolls from the specialty bakery. I was able to make the salmon cakes and they taste good (phew). The rest of the batch (uncooked) hit the freezer.

I fiddled with more decor choices and worked on some lists.

Finished this book -- it was much better than I expected. What an amazing woman. I figured it was good inspiration for the El Camino de Santiago in 2025.

The mixed bag comes right before bed. Family drama -- or potential family drama and it left me sad and worried. I probably have the cart before the horse and everything will work itself out, but I'm sort of in a tender place right now. It's still weighing on me this morning, but I am swirling in feelings so who can say what this is really about. I hate to be a broken record, but I know my hormones are going nuts and that is giving me a bigger-than-necessary reaction. Good news is I'm doing well feeling my feelings (not buffering). Fingers crossed that continues because I need to be at the top of my game this week (physically and emotionally).

Today is another finalize stuff day and make crostinis -- didn't get to that yesterday. The days are building as the week goes. Today is an easier one so I'm looking for ways to get ahead. Not sure there's much I can do though. Most of the food IS make-ahead, but only a day or two -- even the grocery shopping needs to wait. Salad fixings and flowers won't keep all week. 

Hope you are set for a good week. After so much anticipation and lead up to this week, it's finally here. Fingers still crossed. Later gators.