Been a busy week, getting back into a routine of doing new things!
So today will be a catch-up day for my reading and writing assignments. Including for this blog.
Welcome to any new readers who have stopped by via NaBloPoMo this year. A get to know me post will be coming up for curious minds!
It was gray, and wet, and a little sombre today as I drove home from the gym.
A classic rock grunge song played on the radio, reminding me of the gray, wet, and somberness that often greeted me whenever I went to Seattle for work, a few years ago.
Chris Cornell was such a huge talent; I was shocked and saddened by his death in 2017. He was just a bit older than me and is now forever frozen at 52. Such a tragedy. I took a pic with his statue one of the last times I made it to the city.
Soundgarden was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last weekend. I didn’t see it, but hope to catch the ceremony on Disney plus.
I was in Pike Place Market around this time 2 years ago, and took a pic of this store window – I just had to — that T-shirt was great! I wish I had bought it. All those Christmas-y things, I guess the holidays are just around the corner!
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We went to a holiday dinner hosted my husband’s cousin tonight. It was a lovely get together, but with all the kids now young adults, the vibe is really changing. The kids’ table (all in their 20s) was drinking the wine – and the adults’ table, was drinking mostly water (well, at least after one glass of wine)! My daughter, home for the weekend, was supposed to join us but she felt a cold coming on and decided to stay home. She made herself a potato, cheddar and bacon soup for dinner, a perfect meal for a cold.
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Tomorrow, Sunday, is another workout day. I’m glad I came home early enough – no excuses, I have to make it to the gym in the morning.
I reached my Goodreads Reading Challenge for 2025 with 66 days to spare. I had a lower goal this year, to be realistic at two books a month. I’ve been fortunate to discover some excellent choices through Netgalley, which also provides me with some incentive to flex my writing muscle by preparing reviews and sharing on Goodreads.
Of all the books I’ve read this year, I think only a couple were in physical copy. Most have been via e-reader or on my ipad. It’s just so convenient, especially when borrowing from the library. And I have so many books in the house that I’ve read,so while I am now in a decluttering phase, it almost pains me to have to purchase any physical books. Even if I enjoy the feeling of an actual book in hand.
One of the issues I have these days is sleep, as in trying to get enough of it. I know that sleep hygiene is key to that, and part of a good routine is to avoid any blue light/ electronics, within a certain timeframe before bedtime.
Which is the major challenge – I like to read before bed! With the preferred method being my iPad or e-reader, even on my computer, this is an issue. And a dilemma. I like paper, it’s likely better for my sleep, but is impractical.
I love reading on my electronics, which is bad for my sleep.
Conundrum.
What’s your preferred reader – physical book or device? Inquiring mind wants to know!
My sister took me to Kandl Artistique Yorkville for a candle making workshop for my birthday (I plan on celebrating all year, BTW) this past weekend.
It was so much fun, to choose my own scents – Top, Middle, Base Notes – to create something that will burn for 60 hours.
I named the candle accordingly!
She even had a delish charcuterie board made for the occasion.
It was definitely worth the trip downtown!
What do you think about celebrating milestone birthdays all year ?
As if I can make my sleep last to 6 AM – usually I’m awake just before. And I don’t make my bed because my husband is still sleeping.
I don’t take the train, if I’m lucky it can be a work from home day. And if I have to go into work, then I should have already set out my outfit for Monday.
Listening to the lyrics of this song brings me back. I have a greater appreciation now than I did back in the original day – 1985-86, I was a student, not yet working at a fulltime job, but did take the train to school.
And my Sundays were more fun days than they are today, guaranteed. I mean, a quick date yesterday was an excursion to Urban Barn with my husband to check out beds and dining room tables.
But isn’t this song great?
Wow, a busy week! It went by in a flash, and I have to admit, thank goodness for public transit,
I had a meeting downtown and having the option to take a train and avoid dealing with rush hour traffic and parking was helpful. I love downtown, and had to be up fairly early to make the morning train. I could do that occasionally, but glad it’s not an everyday thing. I know it’s a struggle for those who are moving back into in person work – it seems to be the way of the working world now.
When I was a kid I listened to the radio station 104.5 CHUM FM religiously. Yes, I even had a T-shirt.
I still listen occasionally, but when I saw this classic signage, I had to take a pic. Iconic.
I managed to get to another dance class today, thank goodness! I ate way too much (meetings equals carbs and eating way beyond usual …Interestingly, this week I walked by a “Underground dance studio” along Richmond, and I think it’s a sign. I have been wanting to attend a dance class there for years, since it first opened. Now that I know where it is, I just need to go – at least once.
A not so great thing, my car was dinged at some point in the last week. I guess now that I’m out and about more and parking for work, it was inevitable. But still, not a great feeling. I have to decide if I want to get it fixed, when in reality it may just be the start of many. Unfortunate, as I just bought it out, but you know, it’s a little thing in the whole scheme of things.
I finished up listening to a recent Mel Robbins podcast, and I love the following:
We need to live in our “aliveness”.
How’s your Saturday been?
I need a prompt today – let’s look at five kitchen essentials:
1. My new Coffee Bean Burr Grinder – it is indeed the best gadget EVER! I can’t believe I didn’t get one until I grew up into my late 50’s . There’s nothing like a cup of coffee made from fresh grounds. Perfect way to start the morning.
2. My kettle – also beverage related. we have a cupboard full of all sorts of black teas (Lipton Yellow label, Red Rose, Stash, Twinings), Chai’s and also Herbal teas, like Lemon and Ginger, Orange raspberry, Camomile, Jasmine. Turmeric is in there somewhere too.
3. The Microwave – bad habit, sometimes I take too long to get to dinner, end up warming the food up because I’ve waited too long. Or I take too long to drink my coffee, and it needs a quick zap. We love leftovers, so our microwave is a major essential.
4. Coffee maker – we’ve had this Braun coffee maker for years. I think it’s our second, actually. Drip coffee is our favourite. We do have French press Bodum, but we never use it. Too lazy I guess.
5. The dishwasher – even when it’s just the two of us, it’s an imperative!
At a time 