Well, this week marks a milestone for us. After Tuesday, I’ll officially be the mom of adult children. Yikes! Of course, I guess I should say young adults because research shows our brains aren’t even fully developed until the mid to late 20’s. 
However, before all that, perhaps I’ll just focus on the planning of the week. Joining in with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.
The Weather 
Not as cold but still too cold for the 2nd week in November. Getting cloudy and cooler. AND we’re under a winter weather advisory starting later tonight. It’s supposed to start raining tonight, then change over to snow! Highs in the low to mid 30’s most the week but morning lows in the upper teens. I’m so confused, this is not our typical November weather.
As I Look Outside My Window
Probably lots of annoyed birds (and squirrels) because I’m out of bird seed. Menards is next on my to-do list this morning.
Thinking And Pondering 
Our Thanksgiving plans. Still up in the air. And I guess it’s the weather, I’m also looking ahead to Christmas and thinking about gifts. I saw some really cute coffee mugs (Golden Girls on them) at the grocery store and am debating them for gifts for one of my friend groups. They weren’t super expensive.
We don’t normally do gifts so I’m in that place between “these would be so fun!” and not wanting to hear some that would probably be upset at getting a gift because “we don’t do gifts/I didn’t get anyone anything/etc.” Probably overthinking the whole thing really.
How I Am Feeling This Morning
Not too bad though this cold weather was making me a bit achy. Definitely not feeling old enough to have a son turning 18 tomorrow. (The new sub at work told me she thought I was in my 30’s so I’m feasting on that compliment for another week or two)
On The Breakfast Plate
Had the new usual of oatmeal yesterday so this morning I went ahead and ate a cinnamon sugar swirl bagel. And I’ve drank way too much coffee plus a flat white mocha from the grocery store Starbucks. Need to take my vitamins still.
On The Lunch Plate
Not sure yet. Either soup (I finally cleaned/organized our pantry!) or just a pbj.
On The Dinner Plate
Depending on the weather, I might grill pork chops early or if not, probably just turkey sausages and chips, fruit (My husband and J will cut their turkey sausages up and cook them with hash browns, G and I will eat ours on a bun)
What I Am Wearing Today 
I was thinking it’s a good thing this isn’t a Friday question or the answer would pretty much always be the same since during football season, every Friday is red Friday for Chiefs fans. However, today I’m wearing a long-sleeved black tee-shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes.
On My Reading Pile
Here’s a new answer. Nothing. Just a few magazines. I’ll need to find a book before J’s lesson tonight though.
On My TV
If you have Netflix and are looking for something lighter, I highly suggest watching Blockbuster. It’s a shorter comedy series about the last Blockbuster store. Other than that, still working my way through Doctor Who, trying very hard to give Jodie Whittaker a chance but at this point not overly impressed. I actually like the companions in this series better. Football, of course. Hoping to actually catch The Masked Singer on Wednesday. And I still need to get back to The Walking Dead.
On My Menu
This week is thankfully a little less busy than last week.
MONDAY: turkey sausages or pork chops, depending on the weather (want to grill the pork chops so if it’s raining I’ll skip it but if not, maybe) *J has a lesson at 6:30*
TUESDAY: J’s requested Fettucine Alfredo for his birthday dinner and I have no idea. I bought a jarred sauce (I’ll have to make red sauce for my husband who won’t eat alfredo sauce). Or we might go out to a restaurant. Depends on the weather a bit. Cookie cake. *J’s 18th birthday*
WEDNESDAY: Whichever meal I don’t make today, I’ll do on Wednesday. *I work 1:30-5:30*
THURSDAY: Chili *I work 11:30-5*
FRIDAY: Pizza, leftovers, or OUT
Looking Around The House
It’s not awful but my husband is due back from hunting today so I don’t even want to think about what it’ll look like after he unloads all the stuff he took.
On My To Do List
- Grocery Store *DONE*
- Menards for bird seed
- This post *In progress*
- Clean the bathrooms/fly lady missions
- Water plants
- Figure out our Thanksgiving plans
- Finish laundry (most of it is done)
- Tasks on my other list (I’m trying something new and following along with Diane in Denmark’s holiday planning lists)
- Wrap J’s birthday present/maybe look into getting him one more small present
- Pay bills due at end of month (just a couple that came in after I paid everything else)
From The Camera
Since the sun was shining yesterday and I knew they were predicting yucky weather for the next few days, I skipped out on the 2nd half of the Chiefs game to go for a walk. Most the photos in this post are from my walk. I’ll probably share more of my bird photos (ones actually in focus) on Wednesday but I was so excited to see one of my very favorites, a cedar waxwing! 
Quote For The Week
Hello dear Jean!
Happy birthday to J!! Where does the time go?? Sigh So grateful for our kiddos at every stage and age though, aren’t we? (even if they can make us feel old – Lol) May his year ahead be very blessed.
Love how you take care of the birds and all the nature around you. 💕
I say go for it with the gift. If came from a pure place in your heart and it’s thoughtful and sweet. Who can fault that?!? 😉
Blessings on your week ahead. xo
Hello! I wish I could pop over for a muffin! They look delicious! I smiled when you wrote about your husband and his hunting stuff. I know exactly what you mean!!! Your photos are beautiful. I hope you have a cozy week. Can you even believe Thanksgiving is next week?!?!
Wish you could come on over as well. There were too many for us. (Easy recipe though: I just replaced the oil/water in a cinnamon crumb muffin mix with 3 brown bananas). How does all the hunting stuff take up so much space?! We are not ready for Thanksgiving/my plan today is to actually sort out what plans we might/might not even have for next week. It’s been super cold here (just a little snow, not enough to be pretty on the ground). Hope you have a wonderful rest of your week!
Thank you! I know it seems to go faster each year as well. It is nice though to appreciate each stage. If the cups are still there on my grocery run next week maybe I’ll go ahead 🙂 Hope your week is going great so far!
I have to head to Menards for bird food too. It’s the last 11% sale of the year so I have to take advantage of it! My mom told me yesterday she is out of suet bars, so I’ll have to stock up on those too.
I think we’ve had cedar waxwings here but it’s rare. Cool to see your pic! And the milkweed pics too! I should have gotten some pics of the few that are left in the border between our yard and the field, but now it’s snowed and the pics would be less visually exciting. Bummer for missed opportunities.
Oh, I didn’t know it was the last sale like that. I thought those were ongoing….of course, I’m bad about keeping track. Just go there because they have the best deal on birdseed usually. We have the waxwings here but I usually don’t see them very often so I was excited. Hope you are having a great week so far!
oh, haven’t seen any youtubes in a few weeks, will go see Diane in Danemark – I do like her.
Happy birthday to your son. Have a great week
I’m really enjoying this series and trying to follow along. Thank you, I think he had a great birthday. Hope you have a great week as well!
It is amazing how your babies turning 1 day older, but becoming an “adult” can make you feel differently, older even. Those muffins look amazing, I LOVE banana anything. I couldn’t get through Dr. Who, though I tried. We’re saving up these last few episodes of The Walking Dead to watch all at once. I will check out Blockbuster this weekend. Hope your week has been going well and you have a GREAT weekend.
That’s very true. The muffins were just a Betty Crocker cinnamon crumb muffin mix and I replaced the oils/water with bananas. I go through spurts with Dr. Who, had quit watching for a while but then got back into it. Usually the first few episodes of the different seasons (especially the different doctors) are a little rough but then it tends to get better. I’ll probably do that with Walking Dead as well (need to check and see when my AMC+ runs out though…) Happy Friday! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
As usual I’m running miles behind, Jean. Forgive me for responding to this post so late. I remember those days of becoming a mother to young adults. It’s sure an odd feeling, isn’t it? I love all the nature photos…especially the close-up of milkweed pods and fluff. One of my favorite subjects! There was still a skiff of snow, here and there, up that way when I went to Amanda’s last week. I enjoyed seeing what little bit was left. Thanks for mentioning the bird seed. I, too, am out and need to pick some up. The muffins and menu plan looks good. Hope you’re having a great week!
Oh, I understand about running behind. Always seem to be late replying to comments on here myself. Of course, it didn’t help that for some reason I couldn’t get my blog page to come up the last day or 2 (just the admin side). Thankfully, it’s working now. Snow is definitely long gone now as it’s been in the mid-50’s, may have hit 60 yesterday. It was warm. Missouri Weather! Ha.