What's Up Wednesday: November 2021

 

Do you hear that sound Besties? It's the holidays knocking on our door! Tomorrow is Thanksgiving which in my book officially ushers in the holiday season. Who's excited? This gal! Before we get there I am linking up with Shay and Sheaffer to share what we have been up to in November and this was a pretty fun month. Take a break from your holiday prep and join me for What's Up Wednesday.


What We're Eating This Week

I know that everyone is focused on dinner on Thursday, but hey those people in your house (and you) need to eat the other days of week too! It's still a busy week around here so we will do some easy dinners.

Monday-We have a hockey game so we will do something easy or take out.

Tuesday-Sausage and polenta, which pretty much ends up on this week every month.

Wednesday-We will do something easy again probably like chicken pesto pasta and salad.

Thursday-We are hosting a small gathering this year and frankly, we ordered our Thanksgiving meal from Wegman's. This is not typically the holiday we host and this year it is just the three of us and Running Daddy's parents. It just was way easier to order the meal ready to go and I am pretty excited about it. Running Daddy and I grabbed a beautiful Viognier at the winery we are in wine club members at which will really pair beautifully with the turkey.

Friday-We will most likely get pizza or other take out like we do every Friday.



What I'm Reminiscing About 

Running Daddy and Hockey Guy are doing the Turkey Trot again this year. I am thinking back to all the years when Hockey Guy was little and would run a small portion of the race with Running Daddy. I mean he was really little. He would wait for me and then run maybe out an back a mile and they would have such fun. Now he is a big high schooler and has been running the full 5 miles for years.


2012


2017


What I'm Loving

Friday Night Hockey. As you all know, I love being a hockey mom. It's not a role I ever thought I would play but oh how I love watching this boy play hockey, especially with his high school team. All last year, they couldn't have stands in the fans and allowed only one parent at the game. Since I couldn't take any chances with my health pre-vaccines, I watched all of his high school games last year on Facebook live.



Friday night hockey is back and a few weeks ago they had their first game at their home rink with the kids in the stands. It was a blast, even though we had to leave our area near the student section because it was getting pretty rowdy. Hockey Guy had a great night, he had the first goal and then the goal that ended up tying the game. He was named player of the game and it was such a Good night for him. After all the kids have been through over the last two years, every kid in every school, this was a really fun night.


Celebration for #21 after his game tying goal

I am loving watching him play high school hockey. The parents are so nice and these kids really support each other. There is nothing more that I am loving right now. Nothing.


What We've Been Up To

Besides a lot of local hockey, we had a very fun hockey tournament in Chicago this month. There were 500 teams and 10,000 kids. We were able to see some family there and I went to the world's largest Starbucks where I had the most beautiful dark chocolate mocha.




We have all been up to a lot of work this month as we are all heading towards year end and Hockey Guy has exams soon. 

I am also working on some plans I have for Good Better Best and even some things related to this site that would be a big leap for me. I want to sketch some things out over the holidays. Stay tuned.


What I'm Dreading

I have a bunch of clutter to organize this weekend and some things that I still need to go through from my parent's house. I hate these types of tasks, but this is a Good time to do it. I think I might not let myself decorate for Christmas until I get some of this stuff under control.


What I'm Excited About

First, I am really excited about the holidays this season. I am always excited about Christmas, but I think that after things being so locked down last year and things are finally getting to a sense of normalcy, I am especially excited this year. 




What I'm Watching/Reading

Still not having a lot of time to read but I am keeping, or trying to keep up, on my Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Living magazines.

We are a little behind on our tv watching due to travel but w are watching:

Impeachment: American Crime Story


Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

We finished the four part reunion for Beverly Hills Housewives. I don't know if Erika knew what was going on, but I do know she has not done herself any favors and won't be winning Miss Congeniality any time soon.



Real Housewives of Salt Lake

Speaking of Housewives behaving badly, these ladies are having quite the second season. We are finally at the point of the season with the Jen Shah legal problems and I am here for it. I am here for all of it.


All the Hallmark

It's that time of year when I am watching Hallmark, a lot of Hallmark and it makes my heart happy. I watch it when I get up in the morning and we are drinking coffee. I also watch when I settle into bed at night. Hallmark makes me happy period.



No Time to Die

This is going to be a strange transition from Hallmark movies to James Bond, but here it is. This past weekend we watched the new James Bond film No Time to Die. The guys are big 007 fans and we love how Daniel Craig has really elevated the franchise. I think Daniel Craig is pretty easy on the eyes and since Hockey Guy was born in 2006, the year Daniel Craig took over, this is his James Bond.



The guys watched it twice and were so blown away. I was confused in the beginning but the story really developed and it all became clear. If you need a Good rental or trip to the movies this holiday weekend, this is it.


What I am Listening to

About ten days ago I broke the seal and starting listening to Christmas music. It was a totally organic thing. I was leaving Old Town after having my hair done and I decided to flip on the station that plays Christmas music 24/7 during the season just to see if Christmas music happened to be on. The Christmas music was indeed on and I just left it on. Yes, middle of November and I was totally ready to to listen to Christmas music. I mean if there were a whole bunch of Thanksgiving beats to listen to I would be happy to give those a whirl, but there are not. Sorry not sorry.


I am also listening to The Murdaugh Murders podcast like it's my college major. Besties, you know this case that happens to be unfolding in real time. It's the one about the wealthy family in South Carolina where the mom and son was murdered this summer and then all kinds of shady things have unfolded about the dad who was an attorney. The journalist, Mandy Matney is truly what a journalist should be and proves that investigative journalism is not dead. I wrote a little more about it a few weeks ago. 


What I'm Wearing

I have a few things that I am wearing lately that I love. One is this Addy sweater poncho. It is a poncho, but is also has sleeves and you can also convert it into a cocoon cardigan.



It is as soft as cashmere but you can machine wash it. I am loving it for the fall and holiday season.




What I'm Doing This Weekend

Starting today I have five days off. I really need this time off. Sometimes I feel like 2021 has been a lot like 2020 just with vaccines, for those who will actually get the vaccine, and without the toilet paper shortages. When I say I have not had a lot of real time off this year, I truly mean it. My "days off" this year have pretty much consisted of my dad passing away, his funeral, and helping to get my parents house on the market this summer. On our actual summer vacation, I did work early almost every morning. My real "day off" so far this year was at the hockey tournament in Chicago which I really didn't realize until I was there. I made sure to savor every moment in Chicago with Hockey Guy and Running Daddy.


I don't say any of this for sympathy or complain. I know that so many readers tell me how positive I am and I truly am. It's just been a hard year on many levels and it was a little shocking to get to November and realize your time off wasn't real time off. This is my reality right now and I just need a little time to chill over the next few days.


Today, I am going to pick up our Thanksgiving food and just prep the house a little. Tomorrow the guys are doing the Turkey Trot and then I think Running Daddy is picking up some oysters. A casual Thanksgiving dinner will round out the day.


Friday I am going to get up early and do some Black Friday shopping. I don't do it for the deals or the experience, I do it because the stores open early, I have the day off and I get start my shopping.


Friday, Saturday and Sunday I am going to clear out some clutter and start my Christmas decorating. I think I may also do a doggie happy hour with Nurse K.


What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month

I am so looking forward to all things Christmas. I truly wait all year for it to get here. 


We also have a hockey tournament in Raleigh, NC. I haven't been there so if anyone has any must sees if we have time, please leave them in the comments below. I would be especially interested in anything Raleigh has to offer in the Christmas season.


What Else is New

I think I have covered everything. I do want to take a moment and thank each and every person who takes the time to stop by and read Good Better Best. I am so very grateful to all of you. This was an idea that was on my heart for a long time and for a long time it was just a small site. Over the past few years it has really grown and turned into something I could only dream it could be. I am so very grateful to those who find Joy here and bring Joy to me as well.



Happy Thanksgiving Besties!




6 comments

  1. Happy Happy Thanksgiving Friend! I am so glad you have a few days off - enjoy them- rest- decompress- your energy is always inspiring! Chicago is on our bucket list but I have never been to North Carolina- hope you have fun- you will have to blog about it! XO

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  2. Thank you Holly. Happy Thanksgiving to your family as well. I am so thankful for the Best blogging co-host ever!

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  3. I just LOVE the James Bond movies! Enjoy your time off.

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  4. Oh, enjoy and savour your time off. I hope it is truly restful. And isn't it great to get to watch our kids do their things in person again?!?! Definitely the BEST!

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    1. Thank you so much. Seeing them do what they love is truly a gift. Happy Thanksgiving.

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