What's Up Wednesday {September}

Hey I'm linking up today to share what we've been up to lately.  It's been a busy month and I’m excited about things calming down and  I'm so happy  about the fall season and all the pumpkins, hayrides, bonfires, hikes, etc. ahead.  

I don't link up every month but you can read my past WUW posts below

February  April  July August

What we're eating this week...Last night I made chicken fried rice using this recipe and it was fabulous!   We loved it.  I got a wok for my birthday and I’ve been using it to make stir fry recipes and pad Thai. 

What I'm reminiscing about...All the events that I’ve had since school started.  It has been sooooo busy!  I had the freshman block party, fall recruitment, bid day, the annual photo shoot, and family weekend.  It’s been a crazy!!  I hope things calm down in October.

What I'm loving...all things FALL!!   I had my gal brunch on Sunday.  We’ve been to football games, done a little hiking, and a little fall crafting.  I am just enjoying everything about fall!!  

What we've been up to...school, work...you know the usual

What I'm dreading...thankfully nothing right now!

What I'm working on.... October is  big month for me work-wise so I'm busy planning and organizing to make sure my October events run smoothly.  

What I'm excited about...everything fall!  I am enjoying every single day of this beautiful season!

What I'm watching/reading...I just finished Just Mercy. This book was our Common Read at the College where I work for this academic year.  The book was incredible and it made me re-think my thoughts on the death penalty.   The author, Bryan Stevenson, came to campus last night to give a talk.  He was so inspirational and motivational.  I learned so much from hearing his speech.  He signed  a book for Brock and Ava.  

 What I'm wearing...I’ve gotten a couple of really cute things this month from wait for it......

Walmart!   I got these Levi jeans that I just love at Walmart.  I wear them all the time and get so many compliments on them.  They are so comfortable and a great transition piece from summer to fall. 

What I'm looking forward to next month...I'm going to see Justin Timberlake with my friends in Albany.  It's going to be such a fun show!  We are going to shop and spend the night and I'm happy to have a fall getaway.  

What else is new...Ava is taking her driving test today.  It’s today at 11am and I hope she passes.  She has had her permit for six months and has been driving  a lot with G and I.  She is a good driver and she’s ready for her test today.  

I hope you've had a great week!

xoxo

What's up Wednesday

Hey I'm linking up today to share what we've been up to lately.  It's been a busy summer and I am excited about getting back into our work and school routine.  Classes started at the College where I work on Monday and Ava starts school next Wednesday 9/5.  We are getting settled into our house again after being gone all summer (we rent it out to baseball families) and I'm excited about the fall season ahead.  

I don't link up every month but you can read my past WUW posts below

February  April  July

What we're eating this week...Now that we are back home I have been cooking so much more.  Last night we had a cookout and tonight G had to work late so Ava and I went to our friend's house for TACO TUESDAY.  We haven't had one in so long and it was good to get together and catch up.  I brought the taco meat and she provided the toppings. It was a fun night!! 

What I'm reminiscing about...All the fun we had this summer.  We had lots of adventures and good times and fun with friends and family.

What I'm loving...I'm loving being back in our home and getting settled. Home is my absolute favorite place to be.  I'm also excited about September and all things fall!!

What we've been up to...work, work and more work.  enough said!

What I'm dreading...Thankfully nothing at the moment!

What I'm working on...I'm working on unpacking and getting settled back at home after being gone all summer long.  

What I'm excited about...FALL!!  I love fall and we have a few fun things planned and I can't wait for the weather to be cooler and pumpkin everything.  I just love fall!

What I'm watching/reading...I just finished watching Sharp Objects on HBO.  The show is based on the book that I read in June.  The show was SO good!!  

What I'm wearing...I have been living in these birkenstocks this summer.  They are comfy and cute and I just love them. 

What I'm doing this weekend...going to Saratoga to celebrate my friend Julia's 50th birthday!

  Also school shopping for Ava on Sunday  and we have a day trip to Ithaca on Monday to see the waterfalls.  While I'm in Saratoga G is going to paint Ava's room gray.  We got her a new desk and dresser at IKEA and he's going to put that together so she'll have a new room by the time school starts!

What I'm looking forward to next month...anything and everything related to fall. I just love all of it-cooler weather, bonfires, high school football games, 

What else is new...we have an exchange student living with us for a few months.  Her name is Grace and she is really sweet.   She just arrived in the US on Sunday and moved in to our house Sunday afternoon.  On Monday night after dinner we went out for ice cream and showed her the high school.   She will start school next week.

What's Up Wednesday {July}

Today I am linking up with Shay, Sheaffer and Mel What's Up Wednesday.  This summer has flown by I can't believe it's almost the end of June. I am trying to soak up every.single.minute end enjoy my free time with friends and my family. I haven't done this link up in a few months but you can see my past What's Up Wednesday posts below

April

March

February

What we're eating this week...I'm still chugging along with Weight Watchers. I have lost almost 25 lbs so far.  It's an easy program when you stick to it. There have been a lot of parties, dinners out, social events, etc and I don't always eat as healthy as I should.  We grill out chicken breasts almost every night and I eat those with salad and grilled vegetables a lot.  This summer for breakfast I have been having watermelon with feta cheese.  I bring it almost every day to work and it is delicious. I love the sweet and salty combo.  

What I'm reminiscing about...all the fun I've had this summer!  I have had some great times and I am so thankful for this slow season to hang out with my friends and family in the sunshine.  

What I'm loving...staying up late sitting outside with G after a long day.  We sit in chairs in our front yard and just talk about our day and it's really nice.  

What we've been up to...last week Ava and I went on a road trip with our neighbors and we drove to Cleveland to see Taylor Swift.  That was so much fun!  Also my dear friend Melany and her daughter and son visited our town last week. They moved to Florida and I miss them so so much!!  

What I'm dreading...Thankfully nothing right now-ha ha!

What I'm working on...our rental house!!  See yesterday's long post all about it here.  

What I'm excited about...next month Brock is coming home for a week!  He came at the same time last year and it was perfect.  I am looking forward to hanging out with him and just enjoying him being home. We are going to take a little family trip to NYC to watch a Yankee game while he is here which I think he will love.  He also turns 21 while he is here so we are planning a cookout for him on his birthday.

What I'm watching/reading...One of my favorite shows, The Handmaid's Tale,  just finished a couple of weeks ago.  The season finale was intense.  OMG I can't believe I have to wait a whole year to find out what's going to happen next.  

I also just finished reading The Sound of Gravel about a girl who grew up in a polygamist family in Mexico.  It was one of the best books I have read all year and I can't stop thinking about it.  The writer who is about my age shares stories and memories from growing up in that unique environment.  Her stories about growing up in extreme poverty,  being sexual abused by her stepfather, caring for family members with mental and psychiatric issues and taking care of her young siblings broke my heart.  

What I'm doing this weekend...my bff Rachael and I are hosting our annual summer soiree on her porch.  We have had this party for three years and it's always so fun!  We are going to have lots of delicious appetizers and good drinks.  It's going to be a great night.  I will also be working at our rental house.  

What I'm looking forward to next month...Brock will be home for a week next month and I can't wait!  He's turning 21 and we have some fun things planned while he is home.  

What else is new...that's it...I am just trying to soak up every bit of sun and summer fun.  

That's it for me today.  I hope you have a fabulous Wednesday!

xoxo

What's Up Wednesday {April}

Today I am linking with Shay for Wednesday.  February and March flew by for me and this month has been no different.  You can see what we've been up to below.  Happy Spring!

What we're eating this week...Two weeks ago I started weight watchers so I have been eating lots of lean protein, salads and fruits.  I am loving it so far and have lost 8 lbs!!    A few weeks ago I made these wonton tacos and I am planning on making them again this week for an event.  They are so delicious and so easy to make!  

What I'm reminiscing about...Ava's 16th birthday was last month.  It's so hard to believe our girl is 16.  She is learning to drive and she is going to her first prom in June.  I am so proud of the young woman she is becoming!

What I'm loving...I love the Libby app!  I have talked about it on here before but honestly I love this app.  I can get almost any book  I want instantly and for FREE!!  It's been fabulous.  I listened to my first audio book this month and I am hooked. This has been a game changer for me.   

What we've been up to...basketball, basketball, basketball.  Ava is in the middle of her AAU season and she's had games almost every weekend.  She has three games on Sunday and G and I will be in the stands cheering her on.  I just love watching her play. 

What I'm dreading...Thankfully nothing right now-ha ha!

What I'm working on...It's been beautiful for the past few days and I have finally been able to work in my flower beds.  I just love working in in the dirt and I can't wait until I can bring fresh bunches of flowers from my gardens inside our house.

What I'm excited about...I have a girls trip planned for a weekend in May. My friend Rachael's cousin and my friend Vicki's nephew plays for the LA Dodgers.  So last year we went to Cleveland to watch him play and this year  we are going to DC to watch the Dodgers play the Nationals. We are also going to do some sightseeing in DC.  It's going to be a great trip and I can't wait!!

What I'm watching/reading...One of my favorite shows, The Handmaid's Tale,  just came back on Hulu for season 2.  I am going to watch the first two episodes of season 2 tonight!  

For book club next month we are reading the Paris Wife.  It's about Ernest Hemingway and his first wife Hadley Richardson.  I just started reading it but I like it so far!

What I'm doing this weekend...I have a girls night out planned for Friday night, G and I are doing some stuff around the house on Saturday and Ava has basketball all day Sunday so it's going to be a busy weekend! 

What I'm looking forward to next month...We are wrapping up the school year at the College where I work.  I am looking forward to end of the year events and graduation which is happening May 12 this year. I'm also looking forward to going to Washington DC for the weekend!  

What else is new...I love succulents and I made these little succulent planters last year.  I want to make some more this weekend.  I think they look so cute especially this time of year!

That's it for me today.  I hope you have a fabulous Wednesday!

xoxo

What's Up Wednesday? {March}

Today I'm linking up with Shay for What's Up Wednesday.  Just like February March flew by for me!!  You can can what we've been up to below!  Happy Spring

What were eating this week...It's just Graig and I think week so I made a big Italian Beef so we've been eating that.  I'm going out with friends the next two nights so no cooking-yay!!
And we've been eating the delicious Salted Caramel  Bars I made on Saturday. 

What I'm reminiscing about...our Ava turned 16 in March!  That is definitely something I've been reminiscing about. Our baby girl is almost all grown up.  She got her permit on her birthday and we've been taking turns giving her driving lessons. 

What I'm loving...the warm weather!!  It finally feels like spring in NY and I've been getting outside to take walks every day after work.  Also Brock and Ava are together this week in Arizona with Grandma Jan!  I love that Ava and her grandma could spend their spring break with Brock.  They have been having a blast.  Ava even went to classes with Brock yesterday at ASU!!

What we've been up to...Work has been busy for both G and me, and we are in the process of buying a second rental house (we close on Friday) and we have been looking at new SUV's for me-yay!!

What I'm dreading...nothing too crazy at the momemt

What I'm working on...I need to start working on three family memory books-one for 2016, one for 2017 and one from the tree.  I planned to do them as part of my Happiness Project for March.  I still haven't started.  I hope I can start on them this weekend.    And  we are buying a second rental house on Friday so updating that is going to keep us very busy!!  It needs new paint, two new kitchens, and a ton of other little things.  

What I'm excited about...I have lots of fun things planned for April and May-including a girls trip, a concert and a trip to the spa!!!  I love the spring and I also hope to do a lot of hiking and working in my flower beds.  

What I'm watching/reading...I did my March book review on Monday.  You can read that here.  I just started reading Red Notice.  A true story about Vladimir Putin's biggest enemy.  It reads like John Grisham book but it's all true.  I am only a few chapters in to this book but I am hooked.  It is so interesting.  Here is a recent article about Bill Browder the author of the book 

What I'm listening to...I downloaded the best library app called Libby and you can listen to audio books.  This week I started listening to The Goldfinch   I listen to this when I'm doing things around the house and getting ready for work in the morning.  and the Libby app is fantastic!  They have so many books you can check out and you can listen or read them on your device.  All you need is your library card.  The best part it's free!!!

What I'm doing this weekend...It's Easter weekend!!  Our niece and nephew are visiting from Colorado so we will spend time with them, we are going to color Easter Eggs, go to Church and make a big Easter dinner!

What I'm looking forward to next month...everything spring-cute dresses, flowers, hikes and walks!  Bring it on.


Happy Wednesday!!!