Alabama + Graffiti

This weekend was pretty chill – and I was quite thankful for it.  I got some much needed girl time with an old friend, and got to watch the Packers beat the Eagles.

Friday night, we ordered in pizza from Donato’s.  I tried one of the cauliflower crust pizzas – the bruschetta one was amazing and full of veggies.  We watched a movie, Sheff played some video games and we called it a night.

Saturday, I got up and got the laundry and other chores started.  I was going to meet my friend, Cara, at On Tap to catch up.  We hadn’t actually hung out since my birthday in January – so it was super fun to just get some drinks and snacks and catch up.  I came home, we ordered some Mexican and B and I watched The Ref before heading to bed.

Sunday was pretty much a day devoted to watching the NFL.  I had to go and grab my sister at the airport, so I missed the first half of the game, but when I got home it was on!  We made a crap ton of pizza rolls and some pretzel bites and enjoyed the game.  Bennett had a friend over, so it was nice to visit with him as well – and watch some of the Sunday night game.

See?  Like I said – pretty low key, but it was so needed.  I hope y’all have had a great start to the week!

(linking up with Steph & Jana for SUYB)

Dear Edward – Ann Napolitano // This book was heartbreaking, but also heartwarming in the same breath.  It’s about a 12 year old sole survivor of a plane crash, and the aftermath.  The book flips between the day on the flight and what is going on afterward.  As an anxious flyer, this book did make my hands sweat a bit with the descriptions, but the ending is well worth it.

The Stranger – Harlan Coben // Oh, man, I’m really starting to like this Coben person.  I mean, whoa.  I am notoriously bad at guessing what is going to happen in books, and I did not see this one coming at all.  A “stranger” comes to deliver a secret that will alter Adam’s life and make him realize maybe there is more to the white picket fences in his affluent suburban neighborhood.  The book is told from different points of view, and that’s always my favorite.  Little dark, lots of good.

Dear Girls – Ali Wong // First of all, Ali Wong is hilarious.  You’re doing yourself a huge disservice if you don’t watch her stand-up, and second – in this book, I feel like she could totally be one of those moms that you would want to hang out with.  The book is divided into chapters written to her two daughters about all the important things she wants them to know.  They range from the serious to the not-so-much, but it was an absolute joy to read.  Note: there is quite a bit of swearing and potty words mixed in, so if that’s not your jam, this may not be for you.

Confessions on the 7:45 – Lisa Unger // This book was super interesting – with short chapters, which I can always appreciate.  Selena meets a stranger on the train on her way home, and they both spill their darkest secrets to each other, and one of the woman’s problems just “disappears.” The story went back and forth between time periods and points of view – which also kept the book interesting.  I didn’t see the ending coming – but that’s pretty common for me.  Definitely passed the time just fine.

Someone We Know – Shari Lapena // Oh man, I love to sink into one of Lapena’s who-dunnits.  A new neighbor’s wife is murdered, and everyone is a suspect.  I can’t tell you how many times I thought I had this book figured out only to find out I was wrong every single time.  I love the book from all of the characters different perspectives – finished this book in a day, and I couldn’t put it down until I knew.

In A Holidaze – Christina Lauren // There’s just something so cozy about sinking into a Christina Lauren – they sure know how to make you feel the feels.  It’s got just a tiny bit of holiday magic as a woman tries to figure out exactly what will make her happy.  I could just feel being in that cozy cabin in Utah during the holidays – it literally took me half a day to read – I couldn’t put it down.

 

 

First things first – It’s Nadine’s little girl’s fourth birthday!  Shout out to Z!!  Happy birthday lady!!

This has been the longest week known to man – Does that happen after a week long vacation?  Like is it a rule that the next week after must be horrible?  Anyway, onto a few things from this week:

// Sheff started basketball practice this week, and let me tell you, I underestimated that kid.  Minus the not listening part – I knew that was coming.  But he actually was pretty decent!  He did that cone drill so well the coach even clapped for him.  And also – it was hilarious.  I mean, five five-year-olds in any space is funny, but this took it to another level.  Plus, the other moms there were really nice.

// Like everyone else on the planet, I got my Spotify 2020 Wrapped report, and it said the song that kept me going all year was Faith with Dolly Parton and Galantis.  And it was really no surprise – that song kept my head up all year.

// I finished In A Holidaze in one day.  There is nothing better during the holidays than to snuggle under a blanket, reading a Christina Lauren in front of the Christmas lights.

// Sheffield looooves books.  And I love that he loves books.  We got him this Disney tiny book Advent Calendar.  Even though the books are small, they are pretty long stories.  He’s been opening them every night for bed, and we’ve been using that for his bed time story.

I hope y’all have a good weekend – we are planning to just chill out, and hopefully if the rain stops, get our outside Christmas lights up!

 

Before schools were let out for Thanksgiving, we got emails and texts notifying us that the school system we are in was going back to staggered scheduling.  Which means, S is only attending in-person school on Mondays and Thursdays – and he is home with us the other three days.  When I say that kid was devastated after hearing that, I mean, he was distraught.  He genuinely loves going to school and seeing all of his friends, and he has been doing so well.

I am so worried that we are just not enough for him.  I am, by no means, a teacher.   Those people are so special and so deserving of more – I could never, ever do it.  And I especially can’t do it while I’m working a full-time job.  I can only give half of myself to each.  And some days, it’s more of an 80/20 split, and it’s a crap shoot on which one is getting the short end of the stick.

And since I’m an obsessive worrier – I also wonder what affect this will have on him.  What will he remember from this time?  Will he remember every single time I lost my patience with him?  Will he remember that I was exasperated with him when he was tracing circles on one of his assignments, and it took him thirty minutes, because he had to have them perfect?  Will he remember that he ate so many PB&J’s, that he might as well have just turned into one?  Or will he remember dance parties and riding bikes at lunch?  Will he remember all the times we drew and colored together  – and had pizza and movie nights, because why does that only have to happen on a Friday night?

I can tell which days are hard on him – he’s a little more emotional and a lot more whiney.  And I know he can tell which days are hard on me and B.  There have been a few times those days have collided, and they’ve been doozies.  So many tears and arguments, time-outs and so so much wine drank.  There have been a lot of times where I’ve had to remind myself that this is happening to him, too.  Not just the adults.  He has missed a lot about his first year of school, that he will just not be able to get back.

I know how this whole whiney post sounds – but I am truly grateful that my job allows for me to work from home to be able to be home with Sheffield for home school.  I’m grateful that we have the resources at home to be able to help Sheff be successful in his e-learning.  I know that this too shall pass, and we’ll all come out better (hopefully) on the other side.

I will start with a disclaimer here:  Yes, we traveled on Thanksgiving 2020.  We quarantined the two weeks before we went anywhere, and we are avid mask-wearers and social distancers.  We hand washed like crazy people, and sanitized up.  Now that that is out of the way – here are our adventures.

We started off making sure that we timed it just right, so we could stop for one of my favorites in Atlanta – The Varsity!  Sheff gobbled up his hot dog and orange drink, and my slaw dogs were amazing.  Their onion rings are out of this world – so if you can stop by and get them, do!

After Atlanta, we drove up to our first stop in Charlotte, NC.  We went to The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery for dinner.  They had a huge taproom with outdoor seating as well – their huge patio doors were up and open.  We had a few brews and a giant pretzel – Sheff had fun with his PB&J and his promised pad time.

In the morning, we woke up and headed to Raleigh for brunch, and then headed to Richmond, VA.  We stopped for some amazing pictures in Libby Hill Park – the park overlooked downtown Richmond, and it was just beautiful.  After that, we checked into the hotel and let Sheff take a nap.  We started the Packers game in the hotel, and then walked to Wong Gonzalez for dinner.  It was a Mexican-Asian fusion place, and the food was amazing.  We came back to the hotel – watched the Packers lose, and called it an early night.

The next morning, we headed into Washington, DC!  Sheffield was so excited about this part of the trip.  It was super windy and cold that day, but we powered through it.  We walked as close to the White House as we could, went to the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and the WWII and Korean War Memorials.  It was so cool to see how mesmerized Sheff was.  Of course he didn’t totally understand everything, but giant things are always a plus.  For late lunch, we ate at the oldest restaurant in DC, Old Ebbitt Grill.  They are known for their crab cakes, so of course that is what we got – along with a glass of wine.  B and I were stuffed for dinner, so Sheff ate his leftovers in the room, while we just chilled and watched cartoons.  B eventually walked down to a CVS and got us an array of junk food to snack on.

Then Tuesday morning, we were off to Meemaw & Pappy’s, where we ate too much, made a gingerbread house, lounged around watching Hallmark Christmas movies, went on walks, ate some more, played Super Mario Monopoly and then ate some more.

We drove back in one fell swoop, stopping for lunch in Roanoke, VA at Clutch.  It was such a good trip, but we were glad to be back in our own beds.  Sunday, we decorated the house, watched football all day, and had wings and fries to watch the Packers beat the Bears.  Always a good ending to a weekend watching the Bears lose.

I hope everyone had a great holiday however you decided to celebrate.