Well, even on fall break, I guess Thursdays are still my favorite day of the week. That being said, I do wish time would slow down a little.
Speaking of time flying, September is over, so it’s time for me to recap the month.
Here’s a look back on September…
We still had a little pool time in September. Our pool stayed open a couple of weeks after Labor Day.
There were lots of cross country meets and volleyball games.
Screenshot
The volleyball team traveled to Tennessee, and the JV team had a great weekend of volleyball.
School picture day was a success…
My dad came to visit for a few days, and it was nice to see him.
I decorated for fall which is always a favorite for me. I love that we get to enjoy that decor for a couple of months, and now I’m ready for the weather to cool off.
I even pulled out a couple of my favorite mugs.
We did end the month in one of our favorite places…Seaside, Florida for fall break with friends. I will share more on that after we return.
That’s a wrap on September. Like the month of May, I kind of feel like I’m in “survival mode” as we get into our back to school routine. Now, on to October…my favorite month of the year.
Why do the weeks off from school go by so quickly?! We’ve been having a great week so far; I will tell you more about that later.
I’m linking up with Joyce for her Wednesday Hodgepodge post.
Here are my answers to her prompts this week:
1. What’s your favorite fall scent? Would we find this in or around your home right now?
I love apple/pumpkin/vanilla in the fall. You can find those combinations around my house thanks to my assortment of candles.
2. October is Country Music Month…are you a fan of country music? Do you have a favorite country artist? Ever been to Nashville? In terms of lifestyle are your more of a country mouse or city mouse?
I am a country music fan, and I have been for a quite a few years. I typically have channel 57, The Highway, on my radio most of the time. Some of my favorite country music artists are Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Tyler Childers, and Zach Bryan.
Most of the concerts I’ve been to in my life have been country music artists. Chris Stapleton is from Kentucky, and he put on an awesome show at Kroger Field a few years ago.
We saw Bailey Zimmerman a couple of years ago, and two artists that opened for him, Josh Ross and Brandon Wisham, have been on the radio more and more. It’s been fun to watch them become more popular and have hits on the radio after seeing them in person.
Kind of random but I really enjoyed Carrie Underwood as a judge on American Idol this past season. She just brings a great perspective considering how much winning Idol changed her life. She seems a bit reserved/guarded, but you can tell that she has genuine gratitude for her success thanks to American Idol.
Also, I heard an old Faith Hill song on the radio recently, and it took me back! I’ve always loved Faith Hill.
We’ve been to Nashville quite a few times…for fun, for music, for sports, to see friends and more. It’s only about a three hour drive from Lexington.
City mouse or country mouse? I’d say that I’m technically somewhere in between. I like quiet, but I like the convenience of being near things. The thought of having to drive far just to go to the grocery store isn’t something I can wrap my brain around. I also don’t necessarily love driving back country roads. I guess I am more of a “city mouse.”
3. How about ‘country cooking’? chicken and dumplings, fried chicken, shrimp and grits, biscuits and gravy, mach and cheese, fried green tomatoes, cornbread, collard or turnip greens, deviled eggs, BBQ, gumbo, banana pudding. Which of the foods listed is your favorite? Any on the list you’ve tried or would say a firm “no thank you” to if offered.
I am not a country cook. Poor Trav married me… who has never fried anything and hates mayo! haha
His mom and aunts are great country cooks. I cook a lot, but I’m definitely not a country cook.
My fave from this list would definitely be mac and cheese. “Hard no’s” for me would be deviled eggs and fried green tomatoes.
One food that’s not on the list is green bean casserole, but it’s one of my favorite “southern” foods. I always look forward to it at Trav’s family functions.
Fun fact: Hadley loves biscuits and gravy…but really loves the gravy most of all…she’ll just eat it with a spoon! Hayden really isn’t a picky eater, but the one thing he doesn’t like is corn…and he refuses to eat cornbread. I love cornbread.
4. What is something that has a positive impact on your mood?
How I start my day…I can’t be rushed. As I’ve shared time and time again, I like a slow start to my morning with some quiet time. Even if we have to go somewhere early on the weekend, I factor in getting up with enough time for even twenty minutes to sip my coffee and start my day slowly.
5. As we say so long to September share a noun, a verb, and an adjective that tells how that month looked for you.
You know the English teacher in me loves this prompt.
Noun – school – We got the hang of our school routine this month.
Verb – maximize (my time) I truly felt like September was such a busy month that I had to use my time wisely. I made lists, I went to my room to work for a few minutes before Hadley’s home volleyball games, I graded a bit on the weekend (which I really don’t want to do, but it did help start my week of right feeling caught up), had groceries delivered, and just did whatever it took to keep my head above water.
Adjective – busy -Just the season of life we’re in, but life is busy. The kids’ activities and school were in full swing…even the weekends were pretty full.
6. Insert your random thought here.
October truly is my favorite month of the year.
The temps finally start to dip, football is in full swing, soups and chili are for dinner, and pumpkins are on my front porch!
It’s hard to believe that there are only two days left of September, so I’m sharing the two books I read listened to in September. I guess the busyness of back to school really caught up with me in September, and most of our weekends had a lot going on too. Also, honestly, when I’m tired, I just want to watch mindless TV rather than read, I guess.
I enjoyed both audio books this month, and thank goodness I’ve gotten the hang of listening to books here and there.
This month I read:
{As always, book summaries are from Goodreads…}
Big Dumb Eyes
Summary:
Nate Bargatze used to be a genius. That is, until the summer after seventh grade when he slipped, fell off a cliff, hit his head on a rock, and “my brain got, like, dented or something.” Before this accident, he dreamed of being “an electric engineer, or a brain doctor, or maybe a math person who does like, math things for a living.” Afterwards, a voice in his head told him, “It’s okay. You’re dumb now. All you got is standup.”* But the “math things’ industry’s loss is our gain because Nate went on to become one of today’s top-grossing comedians who breaks both attendance and streaming records.
In his highly-anticipated first book, Nate talks about life as a non-genius. From stories about his first car (named Old Blue, a clunky Mazda with a tennis ball for a stick shift), life as a Southerner (Northerners constantly ask him things like, do you believe in dinosaurs?), and his first apartment where a rat chewed a hole right through the wall to how his wife keeps him in line and so much more. He also reflects on such topics as Vandy football and the origins of sushi (how can a Philadelphia roll be from old-time Japan?).
Quick Thoughts:
Nate Bargatze is so funny. To me, he’s the male version of Leanne Morgan who I also find hilarious. His stories of growing up in Old Hickory, Tennessee, his love for Vandy, his journey of making his way in comedy from Chicago to New York were also so endearing and funny.
I appreciated listening to this one since he’s the narrator. If you are familiar with him, or even if you aren’t, I think you’d like this one.
Rating:
The Stranger in the Lifeboat
Summary:
Adrift in a raft after a deadly ship explosion, ten people struggle for survival at sea. Three days pass. Short on water, food and hope, they spot a man floating in the waves. They pull him in. “Thank the Lord we found you,” a passenger says. “I am the Lord,” the man whispers. So begins Mitch Albom’s most beguiling novel yet.
Albom has written of heaven in the celebrated number one bestsellers “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” and “The First Phone Call from Heaven”. Now, for the first time in his fiction, he ponders what we would do if, after crying out for divine help, God actually appeared before us? A fast-paced, compelling novel that makes you ponder your deepest beliefs, “The Stranger in the Lifeboat suggests that answers to our prayers may be found where we least expect them.”
Quick Thoughts:
This book was really interesting. It actually wasn’t on my radar, but I was scrolling available options for audio books on the Libby app and this popped up. I appreciated the back and forth between what was going on with the characters in the lifeboat and the others who found the lifeboat and were investigating the situation. This made the plot move quickly. Mitch Albom was the narrator, and one of the first books I ever read and a young adult was his Tuesdays with Morrie that my dad gave me. The spiritual component of the stranger and how the plot unfolds was interesting as well.
Rating:
I’m hoping to get more reading in this month. I rarely buy books, but I picked up Elin Hilderbrand’s newest book that she wrote with her daughter. I’m liking it so far!
Turkey rice soup is a favorite recipe. We have it after Thanksgiving, using our leftovers. I also make it with chicken too.
Pumpkin sausage penne pasta is another fall recipe that I look forward to making for dinner. It’s a fall favorite for sure.
Favorite dessert:
Apple cider donut cake was a fave Pinterest find a few years ago. Now, I bake this delicious cake a few times in the fall.
Favorite candles and hand soaps:
I love switching out candles and hand soaps seasonally.
Favorite mug:
I’m a fall lovin’ girl…what can I say?
Favorite fall decorations:…old…
I have had two of these pumpkins from Michael’s for years, and they are my favorite to set out.
…and new…
Y’all, for the life of me, I can’t find my fall doormat. I looked all over the garage, and it’s not with my other seasonal mats. So, I turned to Amazon and purchased this cute doormat. It arrived yesterday, and it’s perfect. It’s actually really soft and oh so cute.
Fave fall flower:
The mums have arrived on my front porch. Now, I just need to get the corn stalks and pumpkins.
Fave find:
Speaking of pumpkins…I saw Tina (@to_mimishousewego) share these cuuutee embossed pumpkin plates from Hobby Lobby. I haven’t made it to my local store, but I’m hoping they still have them.
I feel like this week is moving right along, and well, September seems to have somewhere to be?! My favorite month is next week…I love October.
Since it’s the end of the month I’m linking up with Patty and Holly for Monthly Musings.
This month’s topic is…fall decorating and fashion preview.
I love all things fall, so here we go…
1. Share how you decorate for fall.
I have quite a few favorite fall decorations. I like that we get to enjoy that seasonal decor for at least a couple of months. That makes it definitely worth the effort. I felt a little behind, but I decorated for fall last weekend….just in time for the temps to *finally* dip a little, and we’ve had some rain this week.
2. Halloween decor…yes or no?
I used to put a few Halloween decorations out, but this cat is the last man feline standing. He’s cute.
A couple of days before Halloween, I put spider webs on the front bushes, and stick these little skeletons in my mums. Through the years, the kids have been annoyed that I make the front porch cute instead of spooky. haha
3. Pumpkins, cornstalks or hay bales?
I love pumpkins…by now, I usually have my front porch all decked out, but that hasn’t happened yet this year.
I also usually add cornstalks to the front porch as well.
4. Favorite fall fashion pieces?
Whenever these lovely ladies throw in a “fashion” prompt, I have to stop and think because I don’t ever think of myself as fashionable. Put together, yes…fashionable, occasionally!
With the temps all over the place, a light sweater is the way to go for me. I still love this sweater vest, and wear it often. I plan on wearing a light weight long sleeve t-shirt or turtle neck under it in the winter.
This light-weight sweater that I have in a couple of colors is also one that I wear often. It’s a great transitional piece. (It comes in a ton of colors and is an amazing price!)
5. How do you transition your wardrobe?
I transition my wardrobe by wearing the outfits above.
I start the school year wearing dresses, but then start adding my favorite cardigan (that I have in four colors) as a layer. Light-weight pants and light sweaters are how I transition from summer to cooler weather. That being said, I wear my sandals for as long as possible. Seriously…my least favorite day is when I start wearing flats to school instead of sandals.
Once the temps really cool off, I still start wearing sweatshirts or heavier sweaters. Yesterday, was cooler and rainy, and I was tired…so I wanted to be comfy. I have zero regrets about purchasing these Wit and Wisdom ankle flare jeans in the Nordstrom sale this summer. I’ve worn them quite a few times to school. I threw on my Aerie sweatshirt and sandals and called it a day. Again, put together and comfy…but wouldn’t call myself “fashionable.”
6. Do you decorate inside and out?
Yep! ‘Tis the season for all things pumpkins. I did add a couple of new things to my decor this year.
I wanted to change up the entry table. I already had all these faux pumpkins, but a trip to Michael’s, and I found this cute metal bucket to put them in.
I wanted some decorations with a little height for the mantel. I already had the pretty orange floral, but found two of these pumpkin vases to put next to my fall sign.
Everything was at least 50% off and teachers always get an additional discount, so it was a cheap shopping trip!
7. Favorite fall scents?
Pumpkin muffins or bread baking.
I love seasonal candles…I typically burn apple flavored in September, and then I turn to pumpkin, vanilla and other scents in October.
8. Go to fall outfit?
I’m still a leggings and t-shirt/sweatshirt girl, and then if I need to look more put together, I throw together an outfit like the ones I shared earlier.
I do love a dress with boots when the fall weather hits just right.
9. Do you change up your makeup/skincare in the fall?
I don’t. I stay pretty true to both of those things year round.
10. What makes your house feel cozy for fall?
Dim lights and candles are my favorite way to cozy up in the evening. The past couple of evenings have been rainy which has been perfection!
Yesterday, we finally got rain, and the gloomy skies, combined with my fall decor, made me want to hibernate at home!
Last week, I shared a Thursday Thoughtspost about the “unfortunately I do love” trend for my Enneagram type. Today, I’m sharing an actual list that I compiled of things I “unfortunately do love…”
Unfortunately I do love…
A crispy Diet Coke: McDonald’s is where it’s at for a crispy (fizzy) Diet Coke. There’s nothing better!
A chocolate chip cookie with my CFA or Jimmy John’s order: It’s hard to resist a freshly baked cookie!
Making a list but adding things I’ve already done just to cross them off: It’s the feeling of accomplishment, for me.
A daily word search: I’m a little behind, but I’ve enjoyed doing a word search every morning this year. I love that it’s a mindless activity, but I also get a feeling of accomplishment from it.
Stockpiling my seasonal candles: I have a shelf in our hall closet for my candles that is organized by seasons, and I love purchasing scents throughout the year to use at a later date.
Justifying shopping because I have a coupon to use #girlmath: There is some saying about just because something is on sale, you don’t have to buy it. Well, what fun is that? haha But really, I don’t purchase things just to purchase something. I just mean if I need to buy my shampoo and conditioner at Ulta, I wait until I have a coupon. Same goes for Bath and Body Works and other stores. Travis likes his Kohls cash, so he can’t judge me!
Using the same coffee mug for weeks at a time: Of course, I clean the coffee mug, but I just mean I will use the same one for a month or so or even for a season as my “go to” mug. I don’t want to make decisions in the morning, so this simplifies things.
Using dry shampoo to get through another day without washing my hair: For as long as I can remember, I would wash my hair every other day. During Covid and spending lots of time at home, I realized I could stretch it an additional day. Now, I wash my hair every three days, and sometimes I don’t even need to use dry shampoo.
Watching reruns of shows: Is there anything more comforting than watching a show that feels so nostalgic? Of course, I love my Golden Girls, but recently, Hulu has had some of my favorite shows like Who’s the Boss? and Mad About You. My current show to binge is Designing Women. I love those ladies too!
Staying home: I am a homebody.
An over-sized t-shirt: I feel comfy in an over-sized t-shirt and leggings or sweats!
Using emojis in my text messages: Sorry not sorry! What did we do before emojis?!
This was fun to put together! Can you relate to any of these? I feel like I could make a second list! If so, I’ll share here.
How was your weekend? Ours was pretty good overall…and just what we needed. We didn’t have a ton going on, and I was able to get caught up on some school things, run errands, go to church, do laundry and more. I even put my fall decor out yesterday. Now, I’m ready for the temps to cooperate!
I typically share memes the last Monday of the month, but I think next week I’ll be sharing the books I read in September.
Anyway, here are some memes that made me chuckle recently:
Thankfully, I don’t feel this way after this weekend, but there are some Mondays that I wish I had an extra day to get stuff done!
Protein is all the rage these days!
I hadn’t thought about this, but honestly…so true!
My district better take note of when our King and Queen are getting married! Or, maybe they’ll have a summer wedding.
Isn’t this so true?! I actually was explaining DVR to some of my students last week which actually had me explaining taping things on VHS.
Also something I explain to all the teens in my life. haha!
Travis always has a suggestion, and I’m like, “Trav let me vent! And get on the same petty level that I’m on.” LOL
I don’t fly often but this is so true! Why do they assume we all don’t over pack?!
Where did this week go?…but also…TGIF! We had a good but busy week. I feel like we’ve finally gotten into a school and evening routine which feels nice. Of course, this is just in time for us to have one more week and then a week off for fall break! I’m not complaining, but after that week, we’ll have to get back into a routine again.
Anyway, as always, I’m linking up with Andrea and Erika for this week’s Friday Favorites.
Here are a few faves from the week:
Last week, I went to Bath and Body and picked up a few fall things…three hand soaps and one candle. See, I can show restraint in Bath and Body! haha!
One of my favorite seasonal things to do is to swap out the hand soaps in the bathroom and in the kitchen. I only purchased one candle, because I have quite the fall candle stockpile in my hall closet.
I also purchased a set of three candles from Trader Joe’s, and they’ve quickly become a favorite as well.
Last week, I had a dermatology appointment. It had been over two years since I made a skin check appointment. The PA had no concerns, and I was happy to cross this off the list. I did joke with her that they should just team up with a gynecologist, so we can get two awkward appointments over with at one time!
Last weekend, I spent time in Tennessee with Hadley and the volleyball team. They had a fun weekend of volleyball, but they also were able to hit up the indoor water park. I had fun with some of the moms, and I also enjoyed a bit of downtime at the hotel.
The girls were 5-2 on the weekend and the runner up in the silver bracket. Overall, they played well, and I feel like they found their groove.
The weather was pretty and the views were pretty too. I got a walk in on Saturday morning before the games.
The kids’ school pics were available to download this past week, and they turned out sooo good! I asked Hayden to wear something besides a t-shirt, and he obliged!
Hello and happy Thursday! Wow…this week seems to be flying by.
I haven’t shared a Thursday Thoughts post in a while. I’ve seen the “unfortunately I do love” trend on Instagram, and that idea coupled with my interest of Enneagrams makes for the perfect combo.
On Instagram, I follow @alignedsoulco, and saw the recent Enneagram series. It’s been a few years since I’ve taken the Enneagram test, but I’m a 5w6.
Unfortunately I do love:
Type 5:
Watching people from across the room: Why does this one sound so creepy? haha. I definitely love to people watch.
Having weird niche knowledge about random topics: It’s the teacher in me, I guess!
Disappearing for weeks and then acting like nothing happened: This summer, I had a few friends say they barely saw me at the start of the summer. I swear I become a hermit when I need to decompress after the end of the school year.
Observing social dynamics like a nature documentary: Again, I like to people watch!
Preferring texts over phone calls: Yes…most of the time.
Researching anything before experiencing it: I do like to have all my info and feel prepared.
Being an expert on things I’ve never actually done: This one isn’t me…this is actually a pet peeve of mine.
Emotional detachment as a lifestyle: Put this way, this doesn’t seem very healthy! I do kind of compartmentalize my feelings a bit.
Type 6:
Worst case scenario planning: I always tell Travis I’m a realist…not a pessimist!
Asking “what if” about everything: Again, I need to have all my info!
Seeing reassurance and then doubting the reassurance: For sure me if I feel uncertain about a decision.
Being prepared for apocalypses that never happen: I don’t know about this one, but in general, I do like to be prepared in situations!
Loyalty tests nobody knows they are taking: Ok, this sounds devious…but loyalty is important to me.
Anxiety as a personality trait: Unfortunately, yes…and something I’m working on.
Overthinking overthinking: I don’t overthink as much as I used to…I think letting some of that go has come with age.
Being suspicious of good things: Listen, someone has to be suspicious!
On a little lighter note, Shay shared this a few weeks ago…and while we’re just at the halfway point of September, there’s so much to look forward to in the “-ber” months.
Pumpkins arrive in the stores: I’ve been tempted, but so far I’ve held off!
Apple recipes in the kitchen: I haven’t made it yet this season, but this apple cider donut cake is a fave this time of the year.
Football season arrives: Well, the Chiefs are off to a rough start, but I’m hoping they’ll get it together. On the other hand, my Mizzou Tigers are 2-0 to start the season!
Oktoberfest is here: I don’t go to Oktoberfest every year, but it is a fun September activity.
Seasonal coffee drinks are out: I want to try Starbucks’ pumpkin cold brew.
The temps start to decline: Well, we had a “fake fall” a couple of weeks ago, and now the temps are soaring to the upper 80s/low 90s. Just yesterday, Hayden said, “It’s so hot! Isn’t it supposed to be fall?” Of course, he really notices because he’s out there running!
The slow cooker comes back out: So true! Of course, with back to school, I need as many slow cooker meals as possible.
My house smells warm and cozy: I do love nothing more than switching out seasonal candles. I have an apple/vanilla one burning right now.
Seasonal movies on repeat: Who has time to watch a movie? haha! But yes, I have some favorite seasonal ones.
The return of boots and booties: As soon as these temps drop, yes!
I didn’t mean to take a little blogging break, but life has been busy and the world has felt heavy.
I spent the weekend in Tennessee with Hadley and the volleyball team for a tournament. It was a nice little getaway, but then I spent Sunday getting my life together a bit. One of the things I did on Sunday was go to Trader Joe’s, and I hadn’t been in quite a few weeks.
I’m sharing some of my favorite seasonal finds as well as other staples.
This pumpkin muffin mix is definitely a “go to” in the fall. The kids eat these for breakfast, and I will take one for my afternoon snack.
Hadley’s favorite type of breakfast: pumpkin bagels…and pumpkin cream cheese.
I just ran out of my Brazilian body butter that I picked up this summer, and now I’m using the pumpkin one! ‘Tis the season!
Did I need to buy more candles? No. But, how could I resist this cute three pack? The scents are spiced pear, falling leaves, and vanilla woods.
I guess I didn’t look closely because I wasn’t expecting the cute little glass jars. It’s “giving” mini Yankee candles…I’ve already started to burn this one, and it’s perfect.
I did not buy them, but these “tear drop” grapes stopped me in my tracks. What will they think of next? Has anyone tried these? Those are some big ‘ol tears!
A few other things I bought that tend to be family favorites:
Corn dippers – I knew I was making taco soup for dinner last night, and these are the perfect topping.
Buffalo chicken dip -The corn dippers are also perfect with the dip which is a great snack.
Rosemary Marcona almonds- I love a handful of these!
Barebells protein bars – These are my “go to” snack, but I usually eat half one day and the other half the next.
Cheddar chicken sausage – I take one of these for lunch pretty often.
Honeycrisp apples – Do you know what makes me decide to go to Trader Joe’s? When I run out of my favorite apples. These are the perfect size, and I like to cut one up and dip it in a little peanut butter.
Nothing like twenty minutes in Trader Joe’s to help me feel like I’m getting my life back on track. Sunday, I also had a few groceries delivered, and then I picked up the rest of what I needed for the week via Kroger Clicklist yesterday after school. Kroger is also the MVP of my life right now.
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