1. Back when I was cleaning out the garage, I loosened my purse strings to pay for a month of Audible, so I could listen to a book while working in the heat. I immediately cancelled the subscription when its purpose had been completed. Since then they have been sending me "special" offers, which were not special enough to get me to subscribe again. But the night before I left for retreat, my email inbox had an offer of 99¢ a month for three months along with 1 free book credit per each of those months. So $3 for 3 months and 3 free books. Yeah, I can spring for that!
2. I paid right at $300 for 3 1/2 days and 4 nights at the quilt retreat. It was very reasonable for what we received. Each full day that we were there, we received a continental breakfast, and lunch, dinner, and desserts cooked on site. The rooms were shared; I was in a room for 3, but only 2 of us were in there. My roommate is one of my favorite people, and it was like a long slumber party with lots of laughs, and someone to share the nervous energy during the election returns. The meals were very good, and all we had to do was come to the table when we were called. That meant we had as much uninterrupted sewing time as we wanted.
The retreat also arranged for a car detailer and a massage therapist to come in for those who booked and paid separately. And there was a wine tasting by an independent winery who came to the retreat. I did not book any of the extras while I was there, but thought it was awesome that they were available for those who chose to.
We've already reserved dates for next November.
3. I worked on UFOs (UnFinished Objects), so no new fabric was purchased. I thought I might have to buy fabric to add binding to the table runner I took (it was finished ages ago, except for the binding). I had picked up a small scrap as I was packing of what I hoped to use, but wasn't sure it would be enough. It was enough, barely, so crisis averted.
4. Carey was able to feed himself from the homecooked freezer meals in the freezer while I was away. He had two smallish servings of Dublin Coddle thawing in the fridge when I got home. Thursday I made a fresh batch of cornbread to stretch the meal for two.
5. I finished (and thoroughly enjoyed) my library book shortly after getting home.
2. We live on a street that has no trick-or-treaters, so I skipped buying candy. I got a ton of chocolate for my birthday, so we are about candied out here.
3. Cue the lone bugler playing taps. My magic ice maker died this week. It gave me 8 wonderful years. ;) Some may call it nugget ice, or Sonic ice, or chewable ice, but I call it magic ice, and my husband told me to get another one. (He doesn't even use ice, but he spoils me.) Even our refrigerator's ice maker has stopped working, so we had to do something. I was shopping online for another one, and couldn't decide whether to get the same brand or risk a cheaper version.
Then I got a Costco add in my email, and the exact brand and model was $150 off this week. I tried to log online, but my membership had lapsed so I couldn't see member prices. I called Kasey, and she logged on, and ordered it for me. Yes, it is expensive. But hey, it was priced less than Amazon, and I didn't have to renew my membership. I also asked her to pick up some gallon-sized Ziplock bags for me next time she goes to do an actual shop there.
Since we bank at the same bank, I was able to immediately (and with ease) transfer money for the icemaker from my bank account to hers for free.
4. I made thank you cards and mailed to granddaughters to express my great joy at being able to share their first voting experience. Then today I received a very sweet text from my oldest grandson thanking me for the Halloween card I mailed to him and his partner last week. He received it today, and said it was a nice pick-me-up after a long work day to find happy mail in the mailbox. His text made my day.
5. I've been reloading the freezer with homecooked single-serving meals from leftovers. Since I'll be away from home for about ten days total this month, it's nice to have meals ready for Carey. He doesn't cook, and he doesn't much like eating out.
He has long told me that if I die before he does, he will be one of those spouses that dies soon after. I tell him, of course he will, because he will starve to death!
On the menu this week:
Saturday: pot pies
Sunday: Jambalaya
Monday: Chicken Pot Pie Soup (new recipe I won't make again)
Tuesday: Carey had leftovers, I skipped supper
Wednesday: Dublin Coddle
Thursday: pot pies (I know, we've been eating these a lot lately)
Friday: went out for Chinese
**designates meatless meal
1. I put the brakes on starting my What I'm Reading Wednesday book when two library books became available. I'll read them first, and then get to the other when I can...or else it will be one of my 14 selections for my 2025 reading challenge to read 14 books from my Kindle within 2025.
2. Made birthday card for one grandson, and Halloween cards for all grandkids.
3. November will be busy, busy month for me with a quilt retreat and a short trip. These are my equivalent of Carey's baseball trip this past summer. We won't get a joint vacation this year, but this way we will at least both get to do something we love within budget. And taking separate vacations leaves one of us at home at a time to care of Rudy.
4. Yesterday was my birthday, and tomorrow is Diego's birthday, so we are having a combined celebration dinner tonight at Kasey & Beau's
5. Girls are picking me up in a few to go vote!
On the menu this week:
Saturday: takeout
Sunday: family supper at Kasey & Beau's
Monday: Chicken Burrito Bowls
Tuesday: Lentil Soup w/ Cornbread
Wednesday: Meatloaf/Baked Potatoes/Broccoli
Thursday: takeout for my birthday
Friday: family supper at Kasey & Beau's
**designates meatless meal
