#2257 weekend wrap-up

This weekend signaled a shift in my routine. My regular Saturday docent gig at the Garden ended last weekend, so I didn't have to rush up there after the WW meeting to record blooms and then hangout in the Courtyard. Instead, I spent the late morning at Starbucks thinking deep thoughts (lol), writing in my journal, and  jotting down my goals and tasks for the month ahead.

Later in the afternoon, MT and I went to lunch at a Mexican restaurant we like, then I did the grocery shopping. It was grey, rainy and cool most of the day. I was scheduled to volunteer for the gate at a wedding at the Garden in the evening and my plan was to go up a bit early and record blooms, but it was cold and wet, so I decided to postpone blooms until Monday since I didn't want to be outside more than necessary.

I did do the wedding. The staff put up a tent, so I was protected from the rain, and boy, did it rain! There was even some thunder and lightning on occasion. Fortunately, it wasn't windy, so the rain just came straight down. I was wearing lots of layers of clothing: an undershirt, a long sleeve waffle-knit shirt, a t-shirt, yoga pants under my jeans, heavy socks and of course shoes. I also had a fleece jacket, a heavy sweater with a wind-breaker barrier, a scarf, a hat, gloves and my long coat with a hood. By the end of the night I was wearing everything I'd brought. The temperature was around 47 degrees. Because there was no wind, I felt okay, although I did crank up the heat when I got in my car at the end of the shift around 10:30.

Utah had a football game that night. I downloaded an app called Simple Radio and I was able to find the local station that had the game. I put in one ear pod and happily listened to the game the whole time. It worked out well for me and Utah won the game! #GoUtes

Today I slept in until almost 11. I did wake up early because Osi doesn't understand weekends and always wants her food at the same time every day. After I fed and medicated her, I climbed right back in bed. I had to put on an extra blanket last night and it was so cozy and warm under all the blankets!

There were five things on my to-do list today: laundry, pay the bills, cook, read, and watch football. I'm sorry to say that I did not complete this simple and concise task list. I didn't get to the bills. I blame Harry Potter.

'Tis the season for the Harry Potter movies to be on at random times and I get sucked in every single time. The Harry Potter movies are ones that I will watch no matter what time of day, what time of year, or where the movie is - start, middle or end. I'm in. I love them. Today we watched the end of Order of the Phoenix and all of Half-Blood Prince. Yes, we have all the movies on DVD, but here's the thing: if I take the time to find the movie and put it in the player, I feel like I must sit and watch without disturbance. When the movies are on TV and there are commercials, I feel free to move around and do other stuff like cook, do laundry, and even read. I know the movies so well that I can just pick up the story from wherever it is.

I think the channel that had the movies was going to continue with the Deathly Hallows, so I had to get up and leave before it got started. MT is binge-watching a show downstairs and I am watching the Cowboys and the Saints upstairs and reading and doing other stuff, like writing here (it's half-time).

Want to know what I cooked? I made a pasta dish with mild Italian sausage and a tasty marinara sauce from the store to which I added mushrooms, onions, and garlic. I topped the penne pasta with the sauce and freshly grated mozzarella cheese. It was good! Something about a bowl of pasta on a cold, rainy day that is comforting. I also made these cookies and this meatloaf. I added green peppers and garlic to the meatloaf, plus I sauteed those veggies with the onion for a little extra flavor. The sweet chili topping was way tasty. Even T liked it. I'd been craving meatloaf for some reason and it hit the spot.

I haven't been outside today except to throw out garbage. It's been rainy and chilly today, and I have enjoyed being inside. I had a bunch of laundry to do. Still working on it, in fact. My plan now is to go to my room, read my book club selection, finish the laundry and get to bed on time. I've got a busy week ahead of me.

Since October is an even-numbered month, I will be writing on even-numbered days, so I'll chat with you here on Tuesday the second. Hope you had a great weekend!