Currently: December

It's been a whirlwind month, and I can hardly believe it's December already! I really don't feel like getting into specifics as to *why* it's been such a crazy month, so let's just jup into the prompts and save the drama for your llama (or another day)! 

Watching:

Red Notice (Netflix) - this was SUCH a stupid movie. I figured with the all-star cast it would have been better. And truth be told I only watched it because of that, but WOW. It was pretty bad. 

Love Hard (Netflix) - this was a cute holiday movie. A bit Hallmark-y, but since I don't have cable (and therefore no Hallmark channel) this fit the bill. 

The Shrink Next Door (Apple TV+) - I have never hated Paul Rudd as much as I do in this show. I honestly cannot watch more than 2 episodes in one sitting because he is SO repulsive. And even though it's a trainwreck (not the show but the plot), I can't stop watching. I'm to invested... especially since it's based on a true story! 

Music Box: Jagged (HBO Max) - this was a bit disjointed with the side stories, but I've always loved this album and really enjoyed learning about  Alanis Morissette's rise to fame and some of the struggles she dealt with getting there. I haven't watched any of the other musician specials that have been out recently (Tina Turner, Britney, Janet Jackson, etc) so this was quite eye-opening. 

Ghostbusters: Afterlife (in theaters!) - Honestly, I did this one for Blue. It was a little long, but cute and nostalgic.  I just felt uncomfortable in the movie theater because when we ordered tickets and picked our seats for a 2:30 showing on a Saturday, the theater looked empty, and then right before the movie started 2 girls sat DIRECTLY behind me, so I wound up wearing my mask throughout the movie. Needless to say, I won't be heading to another movie any time soon. 

Listening to: Adele's 30 album. How DEPRESSING! She still sounds great, but man, this one hits ya right in the feels! 

Sending: a Christmas present to my friend in CO, and books! I recently got back into Paperback Swap, so I've been clearing some room on my bookshelves!

Smelling: My Fireside candle by BBW

Wrapping: I haven't wrapped anything yet, but I'm just about finished with CHristmas shopping! I usually shop a little bit throughout the year but I also bought a bunch of stuff on Cyber Monday (won't find my in stores on Black Friday!), so the wrapping process shall commence in 5-7 business days LOL! 

Decorating - Nothing yet.  I took down all my fall decorations the day after Thanksgiving and got all of my Christmas decorations out from storage, but I realized I wasn't quite ready to put everything up yet. I plan on doing it this weekend though. 

Feeling - ambivalent? I'm not a huge Christmas person and things are pretty crappy at work, so I'm just trying to stay chill at this point. 

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I also wanted to share an update on my Fall Bucket List before it's time to make a new one for Winter! Overall I did pretty well, managing to complete all but 3/12 (and one that I'm not counting since this new variant arose). 

Try 3 new "Fall" recipes - I made Shay's Penne Sausage Bake and although I had to leave it in the oven a little longer than the instructions said, it was delicious! I also made Coconut Curry Lentils with Spinach from one of my favorite food bloggers/authors, Budget Bytes! I love how she almost always has recipes with items I already have on hand, however this was probably my least favorite in terms of flavor- as in it didn't have any! It was so BLAND! I also made carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting for my Mountain Mama's birthday. They were so moist and delicious- definitely a hit! 

Light fall scented candles - Hmmm.... what are your favorite "fall" scents? I DID light candles, but not so sure they fall (haha) into the "autumn" category. Either way, I'm marking this as a pass. 

Paint nails a fall color - check! I sported "In The Cable Car Lane" by OPI for our bi-annual town hall at work, and am currently wearing an old favorite, Carry On by Essie. 

Decorate for fall - check! I decorated my mantle and porch.

Change over summer to winter clothes and donate the extras - check! One of my mom's friend's family was coming in from South America, so many of my cold-weather accessories went to them, and the rest to the Vets.

Go on a (weekend) getaway - No, but I wasn't mad about it since this new variant surfaced. I'm vaccinated (and already have appt for booster), but still, I'm too nervous.  

Enjoy a hooky spa day - check! Ok, so it wasn't a "hooky" day as I was originally planning, but my mom bought me a gift certificate to a spa and I went last Sunday and treated myself to a Korean body scrub. Though I don't anticipate going again for at least 6 months, I have to admit that my skin feels so smooth! 

Finish Erin's book challenge (deadline 10/31) - check! Getting ready for the next one! 

Check out a new winery or brewery - Nope...

Check out a new restaurant - does ordering in count? If so, then yes! We recently ordered in from a place called 30 Burgers and it was really good! 

Have a pumpkin martini + enjoy pumpkin ice cream - no. I even tried to make a homemade martini and my local liquor store didn't have the ingredients! Harumph! Luckily there's still some time left!

What's new with you?

Linking up with Anne!