mani monday- Sephora Formula X- Gray Matter

currently in my life- What I'm doing Monday- hopefully less wrinkly and winning at life

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window:
Fall has arrived and I could not be happier. The weather, although a lot cooler, has been rainy and gray a lot of days. It makes it hard to leave home in the morning and would be good days to stay inside, in a bathrobe, and cozy up. Although that is not what I have been doing. Its been a busy time for me and I've been doing everything except staying in and getting cozy. 

What I bought lately:
An electric blanket throw for my office. It has been miserable cold and everyone is complaining. One coworker worked in gloves all day. I keep warm socks and slippers at work, and now I'll have an electric lap blanket. 

I am looking forward to:
A business trip that I turned into a 5 day weekend with the husband in Portland, Oregon. I have to admit, this job has its perks. I could not have picked a better place to send myself.  Last year, I got to go to Florida for a long weekend due to work, and in the next couple of months- it looks like it will be February, work will have me in Los Angles for a few days. I can't complain about that aspect of the job. I also get to bring a husband along to make a little vacation out of it. However, getting out of the house has been stressful. A lot to do. Of course, I like to leave the house clean which is an extra layer of stress...... this is probably where having the flylady system firmly in place would have paid off.

Around the house:
I'm trying to just  enjoy the curtains in living room that are finally up, and stop constantly thinking of the next thing that must be done. I am really really happy with my curtain choice. Its made a world of difference in that room. I do kind of have my eye open for curtains in the dining room but I have to slow it all down.... let some money flow in. 

Things coming in my near future:
Moving the entire guest room from my husband's old home to our new home and putting it in the guest room. The old mattress set that is in there now will be tossed out. It has been well used and I think its next stop is the trash.


What I've been reading:

Its your ship, management techniques from the best damn ship in the Navy by D. Michael Abrashoff. Very interesting. Its the story about how one Navy officer turned  the worst Navy ship into the best Navy ship in the fleet.

flylady Friday- purse and car day

Out of all the routines that the Flylady has,  and she seems to have quite a few to master, the area I've seen the most success with is the daily assignments. Everyday is something different to focus on. Thursday is errand day, Wednesday is desk, day, Tuesday is your free day.

Each Friday is purse and car clean out day. How did this one stick  while I flounder with the rest of them?

Who knows.

But each Friday, I take everything out of my purse, wipe it all down, clean it out and change purses if I am so inclined. This is the brand new Kate Spade purse I picked up from my friend at the yard sale. I changed out of the black tote from Rebecca Minkoff and into the brighter slightly smaller one for fall.

Then I take a garage bag and hit the car. After three weeks of this routine, I can say there is not much trash to comb through. I'm not going to lie though, the first few weeks were a different story. Its shocking how easily an area can be tamed with constant attention.

Then I go get gas and  I sometimes go get the car washed as well. Not every Friday, the full car clean up inside and out is a treat. 

Friday Flylady routine is working for me.

December Daily has arrived- My december daily scrapbooking project

Is it too early to think about Christmas scrapbooking? I learned my lesson last year on how early one must order this in order to participate.

Ali Edwards has a December Daily scrapbook....  program? project? class? ..... whatever you can call it.  Its a memory keeping/scrapbook program that is designed to document each day of your December in real time  and it has been going on every year for MANY years. 

And every year for MANY years  I told myself I was going to participate in then, every single year for YEARS I did not participate in it. 

I have a lot of excuses reasons. All very valid ones. but last year, even though I did not have the time, did not have a desk, and I didn't have the "right" material", I finally committed to doing it and decided I was going to do it no matter what.  Even thought I did not have a desk area (I used the kitchen table), and I did not have the "right stuff" (I waited too late to buy all the material and they were completely sold out). 

Last year, my first year participating, was a do-it-yourself kind of thing. I made do.  There is actually no wrong way and no right way to do it. You don't have to have her products to participate, you can follow along on her blog and her youtube and just DIY it, which is what I did.

and I am so glad I did. 

Like she says, the month of December is filled with so many stories. So many things, unexpected things, happened in December 2017. Some of them great and some not so great, but I am glad I have them documented in real time. 

I got the album at Home Goods and paid $3 for it on clearance. I then just followed the daily prompts.  The first page is just your title page. Mine was simple.  Then the documentation began...... some of the highlights. It snowed! Then, I was really - really sick and worked at home for almost two weeks of work. The first time I had not physically checked into my office for that long of a stretch. I kept calling my boss and saying I was sick but working at home. He finally said, you don't have to tell me, just do it. Construction continued and mirrors and lights went in the bathroom. Then I was surprised with an engagement ring at Christmas.

I'm glad it was all documented. However, I think it would be easier to do with the products designed for this specific task. A specific structure for my photos and stories of December happenings to live in.  I had to order early but here it is.

I think I bought a little more than necessary, but I was excited.

wiw

Where: 

A chilly fall day where I had to be in Court all morning, then in a conference most of the afternoon which means, adult lawyer clothes were called in.

What: 

My favorite grey flannel suit from Talbots. Its the Italian flannel line that is my very favorite line but they don't have much selection. I wish they'd make this same skirt suit in black or navy. I would buy every one of them. The cut is very flattering. I wear the jacket in court, of course.

My new favorite shirt from Target. Target has a new line of clothes that I fell in love with. The first time I saw it, I ended up with three things in my buggy. They are work appropriate and very affordable. I love this blouse.

Baked Blueberry Oatmeal- Weight watcher points 10-12

Not the most WW friendly breakfast, but I love baked oatmeal.  I already subbed out the oil for applesauce and cut back on the brown sugar, adding an overripe banana instead.  I could have saved quite a few points by replacing the brown sugar all together with a sugar substitute or maybe a few more bananas.

I guess the point is, they could be made more weight watcher friendly and this is a large portion. but it was delicious.