Head Down

Tuesday

I woke just after 6AM, to the lovely sound of a cat about to hork, and this time it was ON the bed, which has never happened. I got up to get the Envirocloth and thankfully it was just a little clear-ish spit. There was no getting back to sleep so I piddled on the phone, lounging until 7:15. I fed the boys and then got dressed. Kev made coffee. We both had some cereal and then sipped in the reading room while I did puzzles. I got on up to my office since there was plenty to do. I had island time and then turned on the latest Hallmark movie, What if Christmas, which played in the background. At 11:30 I made a turkey sandwich and scarfed it down just before hopping onto a noon client call. The afternoon raced by and I barely got up to pee. I'm trying to get as much done as I can before Dad arrives tomorrow afternoon. I am taking a few days off starting Friday and have projects already stacked up, waiting on my return. At 6:30 me and Kev had a video meeting with the couple that will be staying here with the kitties at Christmas. When that call was done I heated my favorite frozen dinner and followed it up with canned mandarins, which I can't get enough of. After dinner I walked a mile on the trek pad, listening to my book. I took a shower, got in PJs, brushed my teeth and got into bed-as-couch.

Lunch Meeting

Monday's Meals

Sleep was solid last night. Clean sheets always seem to bring this though. I am still loooooving my colorful, cozy sheets and I swear just having cute bedding makes me excited to get in the bed. I know it's weird but that's just the way it is. I want to buy more colors to mix and match as this obsession is starting. I woke at 6:45 this morning and did puzzles in bed before getting up. I dressed and sipped half a cuppa with Kev in the reading room and had a bowl of cereal with a mostly green banana, which I think is so good. Kev likes almost brown bananas so we make a good match as no banana will go uneaten. 😂 I watered plants and baby trees outside, and then plants inside before going up for island time and some work before it was time to meet an acquaintance for lunch at our local Mexican joint, the good one. I had the usual lunch special, Pollo Picoso and didn't finish the plate as we chatted for over an hour. She's the director at one of our mountain community centers and we parted ways with a date on the calendar for me to teach a vision boarding class in late January, and it looks like I will finally get dance started in the new year. We talked a lot about that and it seems it's been simmering for us both. We shared ideas and came up with a plan. Will keep you posted on the potential "return of my soul." 🙌 I got home and work was solid until just after 7PM. Kev was at a volunteer night so I shut down the office, seeing that the house was pitch dark, and went down to the kitchen to make a turkey sandwich for dinner. A pickle and Dot's Parmesan and Garlic pretzel sticks went with it and I listened to my latest book. I washed my face, got in my PJs and then into bed-as-couch where I remained until sleep. 

Slow Start Sunday

A Good Sunday

I woke in the very wee hours of Sunday morning, didn't look at the clock so not sure what time it really was, but I was wide awake. I didn't get up and didn't grab my phone so my brain rambled for what seemed like forever, and I eventually got back to sleep. I didn't wake next until 8:30, and then couldn't manage to pry myself out of bed, which meant I lingered in until just after 9. Kev made us breakfast of bacon, eggs and a sourdough English muffin and I sipped half a little cup of coffee while doing puzzles. I got morning chores done and we headed out to run a couple errands to Home Depot and the grocery. I picked up some pansies which I planted when we got home and then I mowed. Sheets and clothes were washed, cat room cleaning happened and vacuuming ensued. Burgers and Brussels were for dinner, which was so delicious, and then we went back out for an evening at Rock City and The Enchanted Pumpkin Patch. Last year was the first year for it, a tester year, and it was so much more this year. We both agreed better than the holiday lights. We got home around 8:45 and I took a shower. I got in PJs, brushed my teeth and was ready for clean sheet sleep. 

Working Saturday

Work Day

I woke to tell Kev bye as he left around 7AM for a volunteer day. I dozed and woke next a couple minutes after 8, fed kitties, dressed and made a cuppa, which I sipped while doing puzzles in the reading room. I made a turkey sandwich for breakfast, taking it up to my desk for island time and then a very full day of work. Early afternoon I had a few canned mandarins and worked until 6, when I took a dinner break, heating an Amy's frozen meal. I finished the mandarins and went back to work, having a fig bar as an evening snack, finishing work around 9:30PM. 

There was some serious Hallmark playing int he background including: Mr. and Mrs. Christmas followed by Pride, Prejudice and Mistletoe and then Christmas in Evergreen, Tidings of Joy and finally Christmas in Love, which has one of my favorite actresses. At 4:30 I was still working and started the Hallmark series I was excited to watch, Paris is Always a Good Idea. It was wonderful.

BBQ Bowls

BBQ Bowl

I finished work around 11 last night and headed to bed. At 2AM I woke with stomach cramps and proceed to have two crazy rushes to the bathroom. Kev had some of the same issues but not like I did, thank goodness. It eventually subsided and I got back to sleep but that chili went right into the compost this morning. I woke at 7:30, did puzzles in bed, got out of bed just after 8, did estrogen patch, dressed, scooped and went out to do some watering. There's been no rain since that hurricane and none in the next two weeks. Needless to say this means no fall color. I had a cereal bar and took my supplements and went up for island time and work. I turned on the next Christmas Hallmark called A Holiday Touchdown: A Bear's Love Story. I left at around noon to meet a couple ladies for lunch at a local Mexican joint. Not the good one but the other one. 😂 I had two crunchy beef tacos, which weren't good but I was hungry. I got home for a 2PM meeting with my new CPA. She left at 4PM and I worked until 5:30. For dinner we made BBQ bowls. I thawed some of Kev's pulled pork that we froze, heated some frozen corn, and made instant mashed potatoes. Add it all into a bowl, top with sauce of choice. It was delicious. After the kitchen was cleaned I put on my PJs, brushed teeth and washed my face, settling on the couch to watch an episode of Slow Horses. Bed by 10.

Early Voting Day

Brunching Teriyaki Chicken

I woke at 2:30 this morning to Ted smushed against my back. Since he was cooped up in our room for a week while Lucy dog was visiting, he's now taken over my spot on the bed. That's where he was every single day last week and now he thinks it's HIS. In the night he is as close that spot as possible, waking me up. I know he's trying to push me out. And he did. I got up to pee and was wide awake. I did puzzles until 4:30 before putting my phone down and dozing off. I woke at 8 and got the day moving. Kev had already fed the boys and made the coffee so I fixed my wee cuppa and we went out front to the rockers. I filled the bird feeders and did today's puzzles (I did past puzzles in the wee hours this morning) and then did morning chores, had island time and got to work. At 10:30 I heated a chicken teriyaki frozen meal for brunch and continued with my work day.

Got the Vote In, then chili

The afternoon I broke down and purchased a subscription to Hallmark+. It's Countdown to Christmas time! I started with Tis the Season for Setups, perfect for playing in the background while working. It was just after 5PM when I unplugged, fed the kitties their evening stew dinner, changed, and we headed down the mountain to go early vote. We chose the election commission and boy was it efficient! It was like a smoothly run airport. We were in and out within 15 minutes. We got back to the house and I heated chili that I thawed out. I cut up a little red onion to go on mine, along with sharp cheddar and low salt Fritos, which our grocery just started carrying. 🙌. After dinner we walked the garbage bin down the lane. I then got in my PJs and on the couch to do a bit of work before bed.

 

Workin Wednesday

Breakfast

The day began just before 7. I got up to pee and took a shower to get some energy. I fed kitties and made coffee, and then made scrambled eggs with sourdough English muffins. After breakfast I sipped a half cuppa in the reading room while doing puzzles. Morning chores were done, island time was had and work began. There is plenty to do and a first call at 12:30. Around 1:30 I had some chicken salad and pretzel sticks, put on my tennis shoes and went over to the Farm and Gardens for a walk break. I had a catch up call with my friend that lives in Scotland, who's visiting family in Louisiana and Texas for a few weeks, and it was great to hear her voice. I got back home and worked until my weekly Wednesday client call at 5PM. Meanwhile, the Kev attended our Town's meeting to put his two cents in about our shared driveway, which is back on the agenda with the new landowners. He got home around 6:45 and I was still working. I took my computer downstairs at 7:30 and heated another General Tso's Chicken Smart Ones meals. I worked a bit more on the couch and then in bed before sleepy time.

Two fer Tuesday

Two Meal Tuesday

Sleep was very good last night. No waking at all. I got up at 7:30 this morning, ready to start the day. I fed kitties and Kev made coffee. We sipped outside since the morning was mild. I put some food in the bird feeder and it was nice to see a Cardinal come immediately. I did my few puzzles and then morning chores. We walked to get the mial since our coffee order was tucked in there and I eventually got up to my desk for work. I really didn't want to work today and was very distracted, but I did. I had a call at 3:30 and another at 5 and when done, around 5:30, I headed out for a walk at the small track. I put on long pants and a sweatshirt and was still chilly. I was cold ALL DAY LONG. Everyone at the track was in shorts and tees, or sleeveless things, and here's me like Nanook of the North. It will be a long winter if this is what's already beginning. I got in three miles and went home to heat. what's becoming my favorite frozen dinner, the Smart Ones General Tso Chicken. I know it sounds crazy but it's very satisfying and full of flavor, at least to my tender palate. I had a slice of chocolate pie for dessert and then went for a shower. Once in PJs I hopped into bed-as-couch for some last work before bed. 

Final Flowers

Last Zinnias and Monday Food

After good sleep I got up just after 7:30. I fed kitties, did estrogen, dressed, and took Lucy dog out to pee while the Kev made coffee. We sipped a cuppa with Ma before she hit the road towards home. I got on up to my desk for the work day, having island time first, and had cereal with banana around 11. I kept busy all day, had a call at 4:30 and when it was done we made a run down the hill for a couple errands, got back and I cooked green beans while Kev grilled burgers on the gas grill. I cut the last corn in half and we ate while watching an episode of Slow Horses, and gosh it's really good this season. Pie followed dinner, although I was full and didn't need it, but when there is chocolate pie, you eat the pie. And it's amazing. Bed was around 9:30.

Thursday thru Sunday

Work Day Scenes

Thursday and Friday

It's been a busy few days. Thursday and Friday were long work days. The mornings started with me feeding the kitties. When they were done I'd call Lucy dog downstairs and take her out to pee. I made the coffee and we sipped while I did puzzles. Friday was an early start day so I went on up to my office to get going. I had island time to try to get my head in the creative space I needed as the project for the day would be a tough one. In the couple days there were turkey sandwiches and leftover burgers. Friday Ma went for fried fish at Southern Star for lunch and brought me chicken salad, since I wasn't in a fish mood. I worked until late in the evening, I think around 8 or so. Teddy has remained in our room all week long. He's come out a couple time when Lucy's been quiet but then goes back in when he sees that Lucy is still around. He does get out at night to nibble, and comes out in the mornings before the dog comes down. 

Sat and Sun

Saturday and Sunday

I knew some work had to be done today but I did the morning routine, enjoyed some coffee, did the puzzles and at 10AM I made a turkey sandwich for breakfast. I took Lucy to the Farm and Gardens up the road for just over a mile, and then I worked on the couch while Ma colored. We eventually got out to do some Walmarting and when we got home I made Mom K's chocolate pies, which Ma asked for, for her birthday. It would be a special birthday dinner and I was ready for it. At 5:30 I ordered the first "real" pizza after many, many years. There's a Domino's on the mountain and we took the quick drive to pick it up hot and fresh. We got in our PJs, ate the OMG deliciousness and started Blood of my Blood season 2 on Starz. I was too full after pizza but had to have a slice of the pie, and it's amazing. Sleep was deep after all those carbs and I didn't wake until 8:45 Sunday morning. It was a slow coffee sippin' but we got dressed and left around noon for an inaugural lunch at Shwarma Taste, a new restaurant down the hill. It was delicious and we took a lot home. The afternoon was glorious out so I mowed. Ma blew off the grass clippings and mowed a few rows herself. When done I cleaned the bird bath, pulled some weeds, and cleaned out the garden beds for the season. I showered and got in my PJs by 6PM and wanted only a lone, big slice of pie for dinner. We caught up to the latest Blood of my Blood and Kev made it home around 10PM. 💕