What's Up Wednesday December 2023

 

Well Besties, we made it to the end of December and the end of 2023.  This has been an interesting year and hopefully, one that will set the tone for some things in the future.  Here on the last Wednesday of December and 2023, I am linking up with Shay and Shaeffer for their monthly link-up What's Up Wednesday. Grab a warm beverage, light a candle and settle in for What's Up Wednesday.

What We're Eating This Week

Since we are in the middle of two holidays, we are basically eating whatever is around. Leftover breakfast casserole is one thing that will definitely be consumed and the pot of butternut squash and lentil soup that I made is available, but there is not a lot of meal planning happening this week. That will happen next week as we look to head back to work and school. Although I am working some this week.

What I'm Reminiscing About

With our big high school rivalry game and the alumni hockey game, I am thinking a lot about what a great journey this has been for Hockey Guy. Trying to stay in the moment but at times it is hard.

What I'm Loving

Running Daddy got me a Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven for Christmas, which I did ask for as the one I have had for years was non-stick and was starting to peel. I wanted to go old school and try cast iron. I tried it for the soup I mentioned above and it worked really well.

I also love having my Christmas decorations up. I don't know about you Besties, but I am really proud at how hard I work to make my house look festive this time of year. It's so much darn work but when I look around and see how everything comes together it makes me really happy.

What We've Been Up To

Hockey Guy has had a bunch of games including the rivalry game and alumni game that I mentioned above. We have also been in the thick of exam season and still working on the college process.

Year-end is always a big push for Running Daddy and me. 

What I'm Dreading

While I have to go into my office a bit this week, the traffic is usually pretty light. I am totally dreading the uptick in traffic when Congress is back in session in a few weeks.

I am also dreading how bare the house will look when I take down the decorations in a few weeks. Does anyone else feel this way?

What I'm Working On

A friend of mine hosts a 100 mile challenge and I am currently working on getting to my 100 miles. The goal is to hit 100 active miles between December 1 and January 31. The last two years I could not do this because I was sick with my glad issues and could not participate. I did hit the goal in 2020 and so glad that I can participate this year.

I am also working on closing out 2023 at work and prepping for election year 2024. The next few days when I am in the office will be making sure everything is in check financially and moving over and organizing my files.

What I'm Excited About

Excited may be too strong a word, but I am curious to see what 2024 holds for us as a family. I know there will be big changes and adventures for us. I know God has a plan for how things are going to turn out and I am curious to watch things unfold.

What I'm Watching/Reading

I am pretty much watching Bravo and Hallmark Christmas movies. We are loving Southern Charm and cannot believe that the season finale is upon us. I am getting to the stage where I am over Real Housewives of Salt Lake again but also feel like I need to watch the finale.  What the heck is going on with Real Housewives of Beverly Hills?  I continue to feel like there are more questions than answers.

The Christmas movies on Hallmark are also winding down and that should have also been in the Things I am Dreading category.  I have really loved the movies I watched this season but there are so many I also feel like I missed. I really loved Miracle in Bethlehem, PA that aired last week.  It is a really beautiful story that has a basis in the real Christmas story. It was just what I needed heading into Christmas weekend. 

What I'm Listening To

As I finished up my Christmas errands on Saturday and was driving back I checked out Wes Brown's new Christmas jazz album.

Mostly for Christmas music I am all about "the Grants" meaning Amy Grant and Natalie Grant. Amy Grant's Home for Christmas album has been my favorite Christmas album for over 20 years. It's everything I want in Christmas music...period.

What I'm Wearing

A few weeks back, Chico's was nice enough to send me this sweater to review and I am wearing it all the time. It is really an elevated basic and I an wearing it with jeans in the photo below but also will be wearing this with dress pants and skirts once I go back to the office.

When I am at home, I am still wearing my 32 degrees top and joggers. They are super soft and great for being in the house and I can attest that they are the perfect napping uniform. I have this blue set.

What I'm Doing This Weekend

We have some New Year's Plans but I am also trying very hard to get some rest. Sleep has not been coming easily to me the last few weeks and I really need to try to make rest a priority.

What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month

I am looking forward to the fresh start of a New Year. January always brings such hope even when the weather is dark and cold. I am hoping that January may be a little slower and will allow us to plan for all of our big events coming up in the first few months of 2024.

What Else is New

The only other thing I want to share in case you missed it is the topics for Monthly Musings tomorrow. Holly and I will be hosting our monthly linkup tomorrow and the topics are focused around Ringing in the New Year.

I hope you will stop by again tomorrow for Monthly Musings.