On my bedside table: Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman; The Ruin by Dervla McTiernan; The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness; Persuasion by Jane Austen — Wrapping up my 2019 reads!

On my TV: Working my way through S2 of A Chef’s Life and I finally added Below Deck to the queue (my mom’s been begging me to watch that one). I also started A Discovery of Witches and it is everything I hoped it would be! J and I made progress on American Gods S1 and finally started Atlanta S1.

Listening to: Black Veil Brides new EP The Night. Two great new songs from them! I can’t wait for more!

On the menu:

• Monday - Beef Stew

• Tuesday - Green Chile Enchilada Soup

• Wednesday - Leftovers

• Thursday - Grilled Cheese (our last of 2019!)

• Friday - Traveling

• Saturday - Takeout

• Sunday - Must check with mom…

On my to do list: I’ve got a separate list for my pre-travel tasks. And a list for tasks while in Indiana. And a list of random big to-dos. I think I’m ready to dive in.

Happening this week:

• Monday - RnR Castles and Crowns; J movie night with friends

• Tuesday - Gym???; Book Club: My Brilliant Friend

• Wednesday - RnR Crayons to Canvas; Arthur’s Kindergarten Gingerbread House Party; Book Club: The Bookish Life of Nina Hill

• Thursday - RnR Parent’s Morning Out; Final Errands

• Friday - RnR Pirates; Driving to the Quad Cities

• Saturday - Legoland Chicago; Driving to Fort Wayne

• Sunday - Hopefully nothing

What I am creating: Mostly lists and packing piles.

My simple pleasures: Chocolate chip cookies, reading time in silence, comfy oversized sweaters.

What I’m planning: Our trip to Indiana for Christmas. We’re stopping at Legoland in Chicago on the way to Indiana.

Looking around the house: Definitely have a few tasks to complete before Friday. Mostly I need to do a big pick-up across the board.

Looking forward to: Arthur’s class is having a gingerbread house making party on Wednesday. It is going to be chaos, but I’m here for it!

From the camera: This not-so-little one decided to drop from the ceiling onto my chest. Scared the bejesus out of me!