Monday, November 20, 2023

This week my plan is to blog on Wednesday and Friday only, but you never know!

I am happy to link up with Sarah and Holly for Hello Monday and I want to thank them for providing this link up!

How was your weekend?

Thursday night, Tom and I and Heather and Eric went to our other friend Heather’s Dad’s visitation. It was across the river in Indiana so the four of us rode together and afterwards, we went to Torchy’s for the first time. We don’t have one in Louisville, and we were impressed. It was late, we were hungry, and it was fast, too.

Friday, I took off work for the funeral. I will only show this photo of the fire trucks in front of the church. Heather’s dad was a career firefighter and had been retired for a number of years. After the funeral, there was a processional past the fire station with a truck parked outside and a line of firefighters saluting. The roads were blocked all through the Indiana town, across the bridge, and on the Kentucky side until we arrived at the cemetery for the burial service and burial.

It was a hard day. I was so sad for her and of course, I was remembering my own father’s funeral.

Friday night Jack played a role in Hansel and Gretel the opera at his college so Tom and I ate a quick dinner at home and then went to see him.

Dark green is still going strong 7 days later as I type this post. I used my 40% off coupon to order some holiday designs.

I chose not to do Saturday errands and had a plan with my friend Beth. The day was cool and crisp but very sunny and it was just what I needed.

We went to the 10th year anniversary of Evan Williams Bourbon in a repurposed space downtown. They had music, tastings, a free cocktail, and some food booths.

We also checked out some downtown urban bourbon trail distilleries/outlets. Bardstown Bourbon Company has a new and amazing space.

We left downtown and ended our day in this lovely little biergarten between two restaurants – Holy Grale and Gralehaus.

Beth insisted upon taking my photo for ye old blog!

We shared a salad and a pretzel, too!

After our fun day out, I did a Kroger pick up, an Aerie return, a Dollar Tree run, and put away groceries and made BLTS for dinner.

I enjoyed texting with Mason, too, and we talked on Facetime for quite awhile while I was cooking.

I think you all can tell how much enjoyment and amusement I get from his photos and texts. Jack is also super sweet but doesn’t share as much.

I know I will really miss Mason this weekend. Tom and I watched some tv and then I went to bed but couldn’t sleep so got up and then watched some Gilmore Girls which puts me to sleep because I’ve watched it so much and it’s comforting to me. That was such a run on sentence, and I don’t think I even care to fix it. Jack and Mason have a running joke with me because the Gilmore Girls ending music always wakes me up! It’s super aggressive and loud! So, I woke up and went to bed.

Sunday morning, I slept in until 7:00 which is super rare for me. I worked on some trip details. I am debating whether to pre-book the short regional train trips, but knowing me I will feel better having them booked.

I know some of you lucky folks are already out for Thanksgiving break and even some college kids are home! Jack has two days of class left, as do I. It’s kind of weird, but it’s ok, too.

I am motivated today to get stuff done at school for the week after break. I am freaking out mildly that I will have only a bit more than 3 weeks before we leave on our trip to the UK! I am so excited, but my brain has started the usual – Why am I doing this again? Would it have been better just to have Mason come home? Do I have everything planned? Did I schedule enough and leave enough time for spontaneous activity? What if the weather is bad on our flight days? What if we have flight delays? Will Ernie be ok? What if we lose our passports? Where are our passports? (Just kidding on that last one!)

Do you also do this? I hate this about myself, but it is the way I am built.

I bought a new carry-on tote for my personal item. We are going to use our carry-on wheeling bags that we bought in 2016 for Germany. I “auditioned” the new carry-on tote and continue to use it as my school bag to make sure I like it. I am also auditioning outfits – ha! I am also using the “teacher test” on the shoe choices I am making. You might as well use your job for something, right? Joking! My colors (I think) are black, camel, and some bright Christmas colors. I may do an entire post on it.

So, let’s talk about the upcoming weekend. I tried to get most everything done Saturday and yesterday so I could have Wednesday to have fun or do those last-minute things that sneak up – or to decorate for Christmas – minimally.

In other news, I pulled a “baller” move, I think. Thursday we go to Tom’s sister’s house in town for a traditional Thanksgiving meal in late afternoon. I am in charge of pie, potatoes, and a green salad. Friday, we go to my hometown an hour away and because everyone has already had the traditional with their in-laws (we have always done Thursday with in-laws and Friday with my side), we are having a pasta bar for an early dinner but needed a meal upon arrival around 11 – my sister is bringing good bagels and cream cheese, so we are having a brunch type meal around 11. I ordered a Chick Fil A nugget tray and a chicken mini tray to bring. The young kids say “baller” as a compliment and one meaning of the term can be someone who makes things happen by making smart decisions. Moms, we are all ballers! Right?

Pasta bar details:

Salad

Bread with olive oil to dip

Lasagna

Baked spaghetti

Alfredo sauce with a cool shape or two shapes of pasta

Thanksgiving decorated sheet cake

I pretty much took charge and bossed everyone around because my mom wanted to know the plan and Kate and Molly said they didn’t care and needed direction. I AM the oldest, so it’s only right.

Whew, you all are cheaper than therapy! Do you ever feel that I am using you for that?

If you are still here, thank you for that!

Amy

24 thoughts on “Hello Monday”

  1. I love the picture of you at the biergarten.

    You will *not* regret going to see the place where you son is having a major life experience. I remember how thrilled I was when my parents came to visit me in The Netherlands and got to see my life there. There were so few people who got to see me in both places and that is a gift to your son.

    And way to organize your family Thanksgiving. Someone needs to do it!!!

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  2. I am the same way about trips! Once I feel like I’m finishing planning most of it I then move onto the worries and anxiety about said trip that I am usually looking forward to but I really don’t relax until we get there and get settled and then just stress a tiny bit about each day and the weather and activities we planned. 🙂

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  4. Happy Thanksgiving Week! Sounds like you will get to see both families which is awesome- love your traditions. That pic of you outdoors is fabulous XO

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  5. I have been to a fireman’s funeral before, and those extended ladder trucks get me every single time. I love the pride that comes with a job like that, and the honor that is bestowed upon them at their celebration of life. I imagine that was a sad day for you; I always feel the same when I attend certain funerals. I’m so glad you did something fun on Saturday to boost your spirit. That was much needed! I also feel like writing is therapy, and often feel the same about pouring my heart out online rather than in the office of a counselor.

    I think it’s normal to second guess your trip decision. Because I am such a homebody who prefers short trips within a driving distance, I totally feel all of your angst over this huge trip. I would have all the same questions! I have a feeling that once you’re closer to the time of leaving, you’ll get really excited about the whole thing, and being able to see Mason in his element. I usually don’t get that excited until right up to that moment, because of nerves and questioning all of my decisions. Does that make sense? I always say I’m excited, but usually it’s me trying to make myself feel that way. Maybe it’s just me?

    I hope your short week flies by!

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    1. I guess this was my first? I felt the same! I want to talk to my students about it and the value of a life of service. We push all kids to go to college, but that’s not the right thing to do. I want them to know they can serve as firefighters, EMTs, police officers, and more.
      Saturday was really great. Beth lost her dad, too, so it was nice to talk to her and we always have fun together.
      You put it into words, exactly. I am such a homebody, too, and really have not traveled much since my kids started high school, sadly. We did Germany and Michigan and then the pandemic and college came, so there hasn’t been much time or money.
      Thank you!

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  6. I can only imagine how emotional Friday was for you and your friend. That picture alone is tear worthy.

    Definitely a good baller move with the meal planning! We are doing our traditional meal on Saturday, so I think Thursday, we are just going to have pasta, salad and bread.

    Enjoy your week and Happy Thanksgiving!

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  7. I totally understand your second thoughts on your trip. It is a big undertaking, but you won’t regret it! I am even feeling that way about our beach trip over Christmas, especially with Albie’s recent health issues. But it will all be worth it to create some unique family memories. Hang in there for these last two days of school!

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  8. I do hope your friend is doing as well as possible at this point. It’s such a hard time. I am always impressed by your food photos! I think I leave your blog hungry almost every time.

    It’s funny. I don’t think I’ve ever had any second thoughts about trips to the UK. But, if we’re taking a train trip or even a car trip, I’m constantly second guessing myself. I wonder why that is. I have never packed using a capsule wardrobe, but I haven’t taken a big trip since I started blogging. So, maybe I would do that.

    I love that you and your boys are so close. My youngest used to call or Facetime me several times a day until finding a sweetie. This is a new development so we shall see.

    I have to cook for Thursday, but I hope to have the big stuff done on Wednesday. We order a smoked turkey so I don’t have to do that.

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and safe travels!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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    1. Thank you! I am grateful that I can be here for her. We just had a long phone chat yesterday. I am sorry to make you hungry!
      I am really trying to pack lightly. Like, crazy light. We have a washer and dryer at each airbnb, so there is no need to pack a lot. They are so close and it warms my heart. I have sometimes felt like an outsider looking in. But, so many of my best memories are just me and the two of them doing all of our summer activities together. Sorry, Tom, but there was something so special about the three of us! We also had a lot of fun as a family of four, but the summer when dad went to work and we had the whole day stretching out – ah….
      I hope your youngest still does call mom!
      Taking the turkey out of the equation is key. I really like making sides. I actually love peeling potatoes because I have such a nice peeler from Cutco.
      You too!

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  9. The fire trucks are a really touching tribute. I’m sure it was such an emotional day. I over-think and second guess a lot of things. I also think that’s why Im tired. Even my brain is tired haha

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    1. It was so nice and it was also so emotional – I woke up with one puffy eyelid. I am the same way – Tom actually called me out on second guessing all my trip decisions the other day. I don’t know why I am like this.

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  10. I think your pasta Thanksgiving with a side of CFA nuggets is the BEST version of Thanksgiving LOL. I’d definitely want to do that!

    I know what you feel about effort/energy toward something. You’ll have this trip to remember and it’ll be a brand new experience for Christmas! I’m taking both kids home for 10 days over Christmas and the effort is immense but the payoff is huge.

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    1. Ha! The nuggets are for brunch and the pasta is for dinner, but I also like your idea!
      I think you’re right. Wow – that is a lot, but I think you will also be glad you are doing it. It sounds like your mom is super helpful and you can relax.

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