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Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

  • I went a little crazy at Costco yesterday... but at least we are stocked up.
  • Excited about lunch prep for next week
  • Thinking about making blueberry scones for this week
  • Beyond ecstatic about OBM Live this weekend in SF. Hoping we can get it together to do drinks and snacks afterward somewhere.
  • Need to do a clothing re-sort for the boys
  • I feel like I've been reading the same book for a super long time... time to get cracking and finish it up

Next up in the TBR pile:

somewhere beyond.jpg raeliana5.jpg raeliana6.jpg raeliana7.jpg drop of corruption.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu 19.jpg jujutsu 20.jpg jujutsu21.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg tales accursed.jpg raeliana8.jpg
tags: Odds and Ends
categories: Life
Thursday 01.18.18
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Currently #1

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Reading: Nefertiti by Michelle Moran -- one of those books that's been on my shelves for a few years

Watching: Arthur has really gotten into Buster Keaton movies, so we've been watching a few here and there

Listening: Catching up on the Reading Glasses podcast

Making: Jumped right back into card making once I got back home. Only 8 more designs to do before this weekend...

Feeling: After being sick over the weekend with a stomach bug, I'm feeling much better.

Planning: The numbers for the moms' retreat have been finalized. The house has been booked. Now to get to the rest of the planning.

Loving: Being sick meant no real food as we couldn't keep anything down. So excited to eat food again.

Next up on the TBR pile:

somewhere beyond.jpg raeliana5.jpg raeliana6.jpg raeliana7.jpg drop of corruption.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu 19.jpg jujutsu 20.jpg jujutsu21.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg tales accursed.jpg raeliana8.jpg
tags: Currently
categories: Life
Tuesday 01.16.18
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

January 2018 Life Goals

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Let’s check in on Decembers's goals and my progress.

  • Finish sending Christmas cards -- Success! I love sending out Christmas cards every December.
  • Plan and buy Christmas presents -- Success! I'm excited that I completed these ahead of the crunch week before Christmas.
  • Knock out at least 10 Reading Challenges slots -- Success! I ended my year with a decent bit of reading. 
  • Plan my 2018 Reading Challenges -- Success! I changed up a few challenges this year for a bit of variety. Excited to get started!
  • January blog drafts -- Success! I got a few posts done and all the drafts ready.

January's Goals: This month's goals are all about getting year start correctly. No flashy goals, but some necessary ones.

  • Make a Dermatologist Appointment -- I think it's finally time to remove a few moles...
  • Make Eye Appointments -- Arthur and I both need to go.
  • Make Dentist Appointments -- Ditto
  • Make My Doctor Appointment -- I'm due for a physical and a check in about some other issues. Related goal - I'm applying for my medical marijuana card to deal with my migraines. I know California is allowing personal consumption without a card, but I think a card is still a good idea.
  • Check in about TK for 2018-2019 -- Arthur will be eligible. Last time I checked, registration was in February, but I know I need to gather some documents.
  • Discuss Spring Break Plans -- Trying to decide if I will be going to Indiana or not.
  • Finalize Retreat Numbers for February -- I resurrected the Mom group retreat for late February. Deadline for deposits is January 15th. From there I need to book the house and start proper planning, but I need the numbers first.
  • Restart Meal Planning/Budgeting -- It's always hard to jump back in after being away for a few weeks. Once I return home, I need to do a pantry inventory and restart proper meal planning.
  • Check In with Reoccurring Boxes -- Currently we either subscribe or sometimes subscribe to Munchery, Book of the Month, Kiwi Crate, Lola, Amazon Subscribe and Saves. I know I will be keeping the BOTM box and the Amazon boxes, but the others are up in the air. I think I will be canceling Lola. We do Munchery about once every 6 weeks so I just need to skip. Kiwi Crate is the only one I don't know about.
  • Supervise the Q1 Care Exchange -- Sign-ups open on January 1st and close on January 15th with a delivery deadline fo February 5th. I know of at least one minor issue to fix and I'm sure there will be others. 
  • Send Out All January Cards -- There's only a few, but you know.
  • Update Birthday List -- I definitely need to make sure I have all my dates listed so I know who to send cards to.
  • Read 3000 pages and 10 books -- Hoping to start 2018's reading off right.
  • Schedule winter (Jan-March) activities -- Again, hoping to get the jump on the year. I've got a few activities posted, just need to get the rest on there.

Next up on the TBR list:

somewhere beyond.jpg raeliana5.jpg raeliana6.jpg raeliana7.jpg drop of corruption.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu 19.jpg jujutsu 20.jpg jujutsu21.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg tales accursed.jpg raeliana8.jpg
tags: Monthly Life Goals
categories: Life
Monday 01.08.18
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

2018 Goals and Resolutions

2018.jpg

I usually have about 10 resolutions for the New Year, but I must admit that life is a bit much right now. I don't want to over-burden myself with too many goals to think about. I'm going to focus on my smaller monthly goals this coming year. However, I do have a few resolutions to highlight.

Blog and Reading Resolutions:

  1. Read 35,00 pages -- I've been hovering around this number for a few years now. I think 35,000 is my spot-on number. 
  2. Read 100 books -- A realistic goal.
  3. Clear off another shelf of unread books -- Still working on clearing off our bookshelves from all this unread books. I'm doing well not adding too many more books to the stacks. 

Life Resolutions:

  1. Rejoin the SSINK Design Team -- I'm excited to rejoin the team this January. Looking forward to all the challenges and creations.
  2. Restart MommaStrong -- Seriously need to get back on this in January. I am feeling the lack of exercise...

Revisiting 2017’s goals and resolutions:

  1. Read 35,000 pages -- Check! I ended up just a bit over my goal.
  2. Read 100 books -- Check! 
  3. Reevaluate my person blog -- Success. I did a little reevaluation and changed a few things around. We also moved the entire thing to SquareSpace and I think I've finally gotten used to how things work here. I'm temporarily happy with my blog. 
  4. Keep posting on my craft blog MWFS -- Success! I missed a few days here and there, but I ended up with a good schedule. 
  5. Clear off at least one shelf of unread books -- Success. I didn't keep a very detailed record of this one, but considering I've taken three bags of books to sell at Half Price Books over the year, I've cleared off few spots on the shelves. 
  6. Cut our grocery budget dramatically and stick to it -- Fail I guess. I did reevaluate our grocery budget and buying habits. We haven't really cut it, but we have held steady for most of the year. 
  7. Continue with MommaStrong -- Big huge fail! I fell off the bandwagon so hard. Need to get back to this one soon.
  8. Participate in SSINK Design Team -- I participated the first half of the year and took the second half off. Things were getting super crazy in the summer and I made the decision to step away for a round. I'm glad I did. I love the team, but I also loved the freedom of making whatever I wanted for a few months. I'm excited to get back into it in January.
  9. Participate in the Awesome Ladies Project Design Team -- Fail. I started strong in January, but this proved to be one thing too many on my plate. 

Next up on the TBR pile:

somewhere beyond.jpg raeliana5.jpg raeliana6.jpg raeliana7.jpg drop of corruption.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu 19.jpg jujutsu 20.jpg jujutsu21.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg tales accursed.jpg raeliana8.jpg
tags: goals, New Year's Resolutions
categories: Life
Sunday 01.07.18
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Christmas Bucket List Wrap-up

Christmas Bucket List.png

We finished out our Christmas season strong with lots of fun activities and lots of lazy days playing. 

Completed 20/28  71.4%

  1. Go see Santa! -- We got to meet with Santa on the Christmas train last weekend.
  2. Got to Fantasy of Lights at Franke Park -- Arthur, Q, and I went. Q fell asleep before we even got to the lights. At least Arthur enjoyed it. And it's way bigger this year.
  3. Watch Christmas Movies -- We didn't see all of them, but a good chunk.
    1. Elf
    2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas ✓
    3. A Charlie Brown Christmas ✓
    4. The Polar Express ✓
    5. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer ✓
    6. Christmas Vacation
    7. Love Actually
    8. A Christmas Story
    9. Holiday Inn ✓
    10. White Christmas
    11. Christmas in the Smokies ✓
    12. Christmas Crush/Holiday High School Reunion ✓
    13. A Dogwalker's Christmas Tale ✓
    14. A Christmas Crush ✓
    15. My Santa ✓
    16. Christmas in the City ✓
    17. Merry Kissmas ✓
    18. Naughty & Nice ✓
    19. How Sarah Got Her Wings ✓
    20. A Princess for Christmas ✓
    21. Christmas Inheritance ✓
    22. Home Alone ✓
    23. Frosty the Snowman ✓
  4. Make Christmas Cookies -- We iced and decorated mom's sugar cookies.
  5. Ride the Christmas train (New Haven)
  6. Visit Oakland Zoo lights
  7. Go ice skating
  8. Make Christmas cocktails
  9. Send Christmas cards
  10. Make peppermint bark
  11. Load computer/phone with Christmas music
  12. Make a Christmas craft -- Arthur and I have been making the various crafts we bought at Michael's last month.
  13. Check out and read 25 Christmas books  -- We surpassed 25 books, I just returned some to the library before listing them here. Silly me.
    1. Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson
    2. Jingle-Jingle by Nicola Smee
    3. What Santa Can't Do by Douglas Wood
    4. A New Improved Santa by Patricia Rae Wolff
    5. How Many Sleeps 'til Christmas? by Mark Sperring
    6. Albert's Christmas by Leslie Tryon
    7. A Small Christmas by Wong Herbert Yee
    8. Holiday Helper by Jill Abramson
    9. Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney
    10. Monster Needs a Christmas Tree by Paul Czajak
    11. Christmas Coal Man by Joe Kulka
    12. Dear Santasaurus by Stacy McAnulty
    13. Pig the Elf by Aaron Blabey
    14. Best Christmas Book Ever by Richard Scarry
    15. Merry Christmas Pocoyo by Kristen Depken
    16. The Night Before Christmas by Jan Brett
    17. I've Seen Santa! by David Bedford
    18. Click, Clack, Ho, Ho, Ho by Doreen Cronin
    19. The Chicken Who Saved Christmas by Daniel Howath
    20. Santa Rex by Molly Idle
    21. It's Christmas by Tracey Corderoy
  14. Make Christmas ornaments
  15. Make paper snowflakes
  16. Write a letter to Santa
  17. Decorate a gingerbread house 
  18. Host/attend Christmas cookie exchange 
  19. Read a Christmas-themed book (or two)
  20. Participate in Secret Santa 
  21. Find a new Christmas album 
  22. Make Hot Chocolate
  23. Drive around to see the Christmas lights
  24. Make Christmas albums -- All three albums are done!
  25. Make a snowglobe
  26. Have a Christmas dance party
  27. Call Santa
  28. Have a candy cane hunt

Next up on the TBR pile:

somewhere beyond.jpg raeliana5.jpg raeliana6.jpg raeliana7.jpg drop of corruption.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu 19.jpg jujutsu 20.jpg jujutsu21.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg tales accursed.jpg raeliana8.jpg
tags: Christmas bucket list
categories: Life
Wednesday 01.03.18
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Christmas Break

It's time for my annual Christmas break from blogging. I hope everyone has a happy Holiday season and I will be back in early January with more posts!

Untitled.jpg
tags: Christmas
categories: Life
Saturday 12.23.17
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Christmas Bucket List Update #3

Christmas Bucket List.png

We're now Indiana for the holidays and have completed even more Christmas related tasks.

Completed 11/28

  1. Go see Santa! -- We got to meet with Santa on the Christmas train last weekend.
  2. Got to Fantasy of Lights at Franke Park
  3. Watch Christmas Movies
    1. Elf
    2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
    3. A Charlie Brown Christmas ✓
    4. The Polar Express ✓
    5. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
    6. Christmas Vacation
    7. Love Actually
    8. A Christmas Story
    9. Holiday Inn
    10. White Christmas
    11. Christmas in the Smokies ✓
    12. Christmas Crush/Holiday High School Reunion ✓
    13. A Dogwalker's Christmas Tale ✓
    14. A Christmas Crush ✓
    15. My Santa ✓
    16. Christmas in the City ✓
    17. Merry Kissmas ✓
    18. Naughty & Nice ✓
    19. How Sarah Got Her Wings ✓
    20. A Princess for Christmas ✓
    21. Christmas Inheritance ✓
  4. Make Christmas Cookies -- Arthur and I made more of my Ginger Molasses cookies. We're going to iced and decorate mom's sugar cookies after the twins arrive.
  5. Ride the Christmas train (New Haven)
  6. Visit Oakland Zoo lights
  7. Go ice skating
  8. Make Christmas cocktails
  9. Send Christmas cards
  10. Make peppermint bark
  11. Load computer/phone with Christmas music
  12. Make a Christmas craft -- Arthur and I have been making the various crafts we bought at Michael's last month.
  13. Check out and read 25 Christmas books
    1. Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson
    2. Jingle-Jingle by Nicola Smee
    3. What Santa Can't Do by Douglas Wood
    4. A New Improved Santa by Patricia Rae Wolff
    5. How Many Sleeps 'til Christmas? by Mark Sperring
    6. Albert's Christmas by Leslie Tryon
    7. A Small Christmas by Wong Herbert Yee
    8. Holiday Helper by Jill Abramson
    9. Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney
    10. Monster Needs a Christmas Tree by Paul Czajak
    11. Christmas Coal Man by Joe Kulka
    12. Dear Santasaurus by Stacy McAnulty
    13. Pig the Elf by Aaron Blabey
    14. Best Christmas Book Ever by Richard Scarry
    15. Merry Christmas Pocoyo by Kristen Depken
  14. Make Christmas ornaments
  15. Make paper snowflakes
  16. Write a letter to Santa
  17. Decorate a gingerbread house 
  18. Host/attend Christmas cookie exchange 
  19. Read a Christmas-themed book (or two) -- I finished Christmas Magic and am reading A Christmas to Remember anthology.
  20. Participate in Secret Santa 
  21. Find a new Christmas album 
  22. Make Hot Chocolate
  23. Drive around to see the Christmas lights
  24. Make Christmas albums
  25. Make a snowglobe
  26. Have a Christmas dance party
  27. Call Santa
  28. Have a candy cane hunt

Next up on the TBR pile:

somewhere beyond.jpg raeliana5.jpg raeliana6.jpg raeliana7.jpg drop of corruption.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu 19.jpg jujutsu 20.jpg jujutsu21.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg tales accursed.jpg raeliana8.jpg
tags: Christmas bucket list
categories: Life
Friday 12.22.17
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Fall 2017 Clothing Summary

My goal is to keep my quarterly clothes budget to $200. I've still got some weight loss goals to achieve, but I need to do a bit of fill-in in the meantime.

Amazon: $25.99

I was looking for some cute low oxfords to wear this winter. Thank goodness for Amazon as I was striking out at all the physical stores around here. 

IMG_2317.jpg

Amazon: $0

My care exchange partner bought me these two lovely tunics. I had been eyeing them for awhile, but I rarely buy clothes. It was a nice treat to get them in my box.

IMG_3311.jpg

Target: $21.81

I love the Target clearance rack! I found this cute denim skirt and black sleeveless top. The top has gone into regular rotation for my outfits. 

IMG_3832.jpg
 
IMG_3843.jpg
 

2017 Total: $322.59

Next up on the TBR pile:

somewhere beyond.jpg raeliana5.jpg raeliana6.jpg raeliana7.jpg drop of corruption.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu 19.jpg jujutsu 20.jpg jujutsu21.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg tales accursed.jpg raeliana8.jpg
tags: Clothing Summary
categories: Life
Wednesday 12.20.17
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Christmas Bucket List Update #2

Christmas Bucket List.png

We're now Indiana for the holidays and have completed even more Christmas related tasks.

Completed 7/28

  1. Go see Santa!
  2. Got to Fantasy of Lights at Franke Park
  3. Watch Christmas Movies
    1. Elf
    2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
    3. Charlie Brown Christmas
    4. The Polar Express
    5. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
    6. Christmas Vacation
    7. Love Actually
    8. A Christmas Story
    9. Holiday Inn
    10. White Christmas
    11. Christmas in the Smokies ✓
    12. Christmas Crush/Holiday High School Reunion ✓
    13. A Dogwalker's Christmas Tale ✓
    14. A Christmas Crush ✓
    15. My Santa ✓
    16. Christmas in the City ✓
    17. Merry Kissmas ✓
    18. Naughty & Nice ✓
    19. How Sarah Got Her Wings ✓
  4. Make Christmas Cookies
  5. Ride the Christmas train (New Haven)
  6. Visit Oakland Zoo lights
  7. Go ice skating
  8. Make Christmas cocktails
  9. Send Christmas cards -- All have been sent out!
  10. Make peppermint bark
  11. Load computer/phone with Christmas music
  12. Make a Christmas craft
  13. Check out and read 25 Christmas books
    1. Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson
    2. Jingle-Jingle by Nicola Smee
    3. What Santa Can't Do by Douglas Wood
    4. A New Improved Santa by Patricia Rae Wolff
    5. How Many Sleeps 'til Christmas? by Mark Sperring
    6. Albert's Christmas by Leslie Tryon
    7. A Small Christmas by Wong Herbert Yee
    8. Holiday Helper by Jill Abramson
    9. Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney
    10. Monster Needs a Christmas Tree by Paul Czajak
    11. Christmas Coal Man by Joe Kulka
    12. Dear Santasaurus by Stacy McAnulty
    13. Pig the Elf by Aaron Blabey
    14. Best Christmas Book Ever by Richard Scarry
    15. Merry Christmas Pocoyo by Kristen Depken
  14. Make Christmas ornaments
  15. Make paper snowflakes
  16. Write a letter to Santa
  17. Decorate a gingerbread house -- Instead of a gingerbread house, we made a gingerbread tree! 
  18. Host/attend Christmas cookie exchange -- I made my Ginger Molasses Cookies and in return we got Cardamon Shortbread, Iced Sugar Cookies, and Stem Ginger Cookies. Oh so good!
  19. Read a Christmas-themed book (or two)
  20. Participate in Secret Santa -- Arthur and Quentin had their Secret Snowflake exchange through the parent group. And I sent off my book-related Secret Santa gift. Hopefully mine will be waiting in Indiana when I get there.
  21. Find a new Christmas album -- Done! I found two actually: Leslie Odom Jr.'s Simply Christmas and Lindsey Stirling's Warmer in the Winter. Both have been on repeat.
  22. Make Hot Chocolate
  23. Drive around to see the Christmas lights
  24. Make Christmas albums
  25. Make a snowglobe
  26. Have a Christmas dance party
  27. Call Santa
  28. Have a candy cane hunt
Our Christmas Tree disaster... 

Our Christmas Tree disaster... 

Next up on the TBR pile:

somewhere beyond.jpg raeliana5.jpg raeliana6.jpg raeliana7.jpg drop of corruption.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu 19.jpg jujutsu 20.jpg jujutsu21.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg tales accursed.jpg raeliana8.jpg
tags: Christmas bucket list
categories: Life
Friday 12.15.17
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

  • Traveling alone with two kiddos is hard. Ugh! We made it, but so tired.
  • I love participating in secret Santas and this year I got some great little gifts. 
  • Q is into everything! Toddlers are crazy.
  • From 65 degrees to 20 degrees. Brrr!!!!
  • Craving some hot chocolate today. I may have to stop by Starbucks for their new hot chocolates. 
  • Arthur is so on board with Christmas this year. He's having so much fun!

Next up on the TBR pile:

somewhere beyond.jpg raeliana5.jpg raeliana6.jpg raeliana7.jpg drop of corruption.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu 19.jpg jujutsu 20.jpg jujutsu21.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg tales accursed.jpg raeliana8.jpg
tags: Odds and Ends
categories: Life
Thursday 12.14.17
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Christmas Bucket List Update #1

Christmas Bucket List.png

December is in full swing! Let's see how we've done so far this month.

Completed 6/28

  1. Go see Santa!
  2. Got to Fantasy of Lights at Franke Park
  3. Watch Christmas Movies
    1. Elf
    2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
    3. Charlie Brown Christmas
    4. The Polar Express
    5. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
    6. Christmas Vacation
    7. Love Actually
    8. A Christmas Story
    9. Holiday Inn
    10. White Christmas
    11. Christmas in the Smokies ✓
    12. Christmas Crush/Holiday High School Reunion ✓
    13. A Dogwalker's Christmas Tale ✓
    14. A Christmas Crush ✓
    15. My Santa ✓
    16. Christmas in the City ✓
    17. Merry Kissmas ✓
    18. Naughty & Nice ✓
    19. How Sarah Got Her Wings ✓
  4. Make Christmas Cookies
  5. Ride the Christmas train (New Haven)
  6. Visit Oakland Zoo lights
  7. Go ice skating
  8. Make Christmas cocktails
  9. Send Christmas cards -- Over 50 already sent out. Just need to finish the last 30 or so.
  10. Make peppermint bark
  11. Load computer/phone with Christmas music
  12. Make a Christmas craft
  13. Check out and read 25 Christmas books
    1. Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson
    2. Jingle-Jingle by Nicola Smee
    3. What Santa Can't Do by Douglas Wood
    4. A New Improved Santa by Patricia Rae Wolff
    5. How Many Sleeps 'til Christmas? by Mark Sperring
    6.  
  14. Make Christmas ornaments
  15. Make paper snowflakes
  16. Write a letter to Santa
  17. Decorate a gingerbread house
  18. Host/attend Christmas cookie exchange -- I made my Ginger Molasses Cookies and in return we got Cardamon Shortbread, Iced Sugar Cookies, and Stem Ginger Cookies. Oh so good!
  19. Read a Christmas-themed book (or two)
  20. Participate in Secret Santa -- Arthur and Quentin had their Secret Snowflake exchange through the parent group. And I sent off my book-related Secret Santa gift. Hopefully mine will be waiting in Indiana when I get there.
  21. Find a new Christmas album -- Done! I found two actually: Leslie Odom Jr.'s Simply Christmas and Lindsey Stirling's Warmer in the Winter. Both have been on repeat.
  22. Make Hot Chocolate
  23. Drive around to see the Christmas lights
  24. Make Christmas albums
  25. Make a snowglobe
  26. Have a Christmas dance party
  27. Call Santa
  28. Have a candy cane hunt

Next up on the TBR pile:

somewhere beyond.jpg raeliana5.jpg raeliana6.jpg raeliana7.jpg drop of corruption.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu 19.jpg jujutsu 20.jpg jujutsu21.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg tales accursed.jpg raeliana8.jpg
tags: Christmas bucket list
categories: Life
Friday 12.08.17
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Fall Bucket List Wrap-up

Fall Bucket List.png

My completion 20/35  57 %

So the fall didn't go as planned. I had wanted to check off so many of these tasks, but I wasn't counting on getting sick right after Halloween. I just didn't have the energy to complete some of these items. But at least we did have an enjoyable fall. 

  1. Enjoy a PSL -- Always have to indulge a few times.
  2. Go to a pumpkin patch -- Took Arthur to a small one with tons of bounce houses
  3. Buy some proper cider  -- I bought some cider at Target. Unfortunately, I bought spiced cider and it's a little too orange-y for my tastes. I'll have to pick up some more at another store. Grabbed a ton of good cider.
  4. Bake pumpkin bread -- One loaf down, I imagine I will make a few more before Christmas.
  5. Make stuffed acorn squash -- Always love this recipe, but can only make it in the fall when the acorn squash is ripe.
  6. Carve a pumpkin
  7. Make a fall craft with Arthur -- We did a few little Michael's crafts.
  8. Read some scary books -- I got some good reads knocked out:
    1. 8.4 by Peter Hernon (earthquake thriller)
    2. Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell (supernatural cozy mystery)
    3. The Mummy by Anne Rice (classic horror)
    4. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson (classic horror)
    5. Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff (crappy supernatural YA)
    6. Haunted Castles by Ray Russell (collection of ghost stories)
    7. The Gates by John Connolly (comedic horror)
    8. A Cast Off Coven by Juliet Blackwell (supernatural cozy mystery)
    9. Hexes and Hemlines by Juliet Blackwell (supernatural cozy mystery)
    10. In a Witch's Wardrobe by Juliet Blackwell (supernatural cozy mystery)
    11. Tarnished and Torn by Juliet Blackwell (supernatural cozy mystery)
  9. Pick up some fall themed tea -- I grabbed some Caramel Apple Spice at the store!
  10. Take pictures of the changing leaf colors
  11. Make chili and cornbread -- It will be back on the meal plan soon.
  12. Find two new fall soup recipes -- I've got a couple of good ones now.
  13. Watch Shaun of the Dead for Halloween
  14. Visit a corn maze
  15. Bake fall cookies -- I made some Pumpkin Snickerdoodles, but they weren't the best. 
  16. Make leaf art
  17. Pick up some fall nail polish -- Success! I picked up a pretty teal color (think Starbuck's fall cups this year)
  18. Go apple picking
  19. Bake an apple pie
  20. Make mulled wine
  21. Plan and cook Thanksgiving -- Success! It was a great day!
  22. Read Kids Books
    1. Fall
      1. The Autumn Equinox by Ellen Jackson
      2. My Leaf Book by Monica Wellington
      3. WonderFall by Michael Hall
      4. Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak
      5. Fall by Kay Barnham
      6. An Apple's Life by Nancy Dickman
      7. Autumn by Stephanie Hedlund
      8. Leaves Fall Down by Lisa Bullard
      9. Kitten's Autumn by Eugenie Fernandes
      10. The Autumn Leaf by Carl Emerson
      11. Who Loves the Fall? by Bob Raczka
      12. Autumn Leaves by Ken Robbins
      13. Little Elliot Fall Friends by Mike Curato
      14. Counting on Fall by Lizann Flatt
    2. Halloween
      1. Countdown to Halloween by Patricia Reeder Eubank
      2. Click, Clack, Boo! by Doreen Cronin
      3. Halloween Hustle by Charlotte Gunnufson
      4. Dog and Bear Tricks and Treats by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
      5. How Big Could Your Pumpkin Grow? by Wendell Minor
      6. Seven Orange Pumpkins by Stephen Savage
    3. Thanksgiving
      1. Gobble, Gobble, Tucker by Leslie McGuirk
      2. Gobble, Gobble, Crash by Julie Stiegemeyer
  23. Decorate the front porch
  24. Buy some pumpkin ale -- I grabbed Leinenkugel's Autumn Shandy. Decent, but I will have to find something else.
  25. Go on a hayride
  26. Celebrate Halloween with costumes and trick-or-treating -- We made it around the entire top of the hill.
  27. Pick up a fall candle -- I grabbed a yummy smelling Orchard candle from Glade. It reminds me of pumpkin and bonfires.
  28. Read a cozy mystery -- I finished Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell this week. I loved it! Will have to pick up the next book in the series.
  29. Make a scarecrow
  30. Make homemade sauerkraut
  31. Toast pumpkin seeds
  32. Have a Monster Mash dance party
  33. Create Halloween and Thanksgiving cocktails
  34. Watch It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
  35. Have a Resident Evil marathon

Next up on the TBR list:

somewhere beyond.jpg raeliana5.jpg raeliana6.jpg raeliana7.jpg drop of corruption.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu 19.jpg jujutsu 20.jpg jujutsu21.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg tales accursed.jpg raeliana8.jpg
tags: Fall Bucket List
categories: Life
Sunday 12.03.17
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

December 2017 Life Goals

Let’s check in on November's goals and my progress.

  • Prep Christmas cards to send after Thanksgiving -- Success! Cards prepped and the first batch has been sent out.
  • Host Thanksgiving -- Success! We had a great dinner with some friends.
  • Start making Christmas gift lists -- Success! I've got a list going. I've even got some presents bought already.
  • Think about 2018 Reading Challenges/reading plan -- Success! Working on my reading challenge 
  • Knock off at least 10 items from big to-do list -- Success! Working down my list.
  • Complete 5 Fall Bucket items -- Success! I didn't finish my fall bucket list, but I did knock off quite a few items.

December's Goals:

  • Finish sending Christmas cards -- I've got most of the cards made, just need to send them.
  • Plan and buy Christmas presents -- A few have been bought, just need to finish off my list.
  • Knock out at least 10 Reading Challenges slots -- Hoping to finish off my 2017 reading year on a high note.
  • Plan my 2018 Reading Challenges -- I've a few challenges starred, just need to narrow them down and lay out my plans.
  • January blog drafts -- I want to work ahead while in Indiana get the blog drafts in order. 

Next up on the TBR list:

somewhere beyond.jpg raeliana5.jpg raeliana6.jpg raeliana7.jpg drop of corruption.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu 19.jpg jujutsu 20.jpg jujutsu21.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg tales accursed.jpg raeliana8.jpg
tags: Monthly Life Goals
categories: Life
Friday 12.01.17
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Christmas Bucket List

Christmas Bucket List.png
  1. Go see Santa!
  2. Got to Fantasy of Lights at Franke Park
  3. Watch Christmas Movies
    1. Elf
    2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
    3. Charlie Brown Christmas
    4. The Polar Express
    5. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
    6. Christmas Vacation
    7. Love Actually
    8. A Christmas Story
    9. Holiday Inn
    10. White Christmas
  4. Make Christmas Cookies
  5. Ride the Christmas train (New Haven)
  6. Visit Oakland Zoo lights
  7. Go ice skating
  8. Make Christmas cocktails
  9. Send Christmas cards
  10. Make peppermint bark
  11. Load computer/phone with Christmas music
  12. Make a Christmas craft
  13. Check out and read 25 Christmas books
  14. Make Christmas ornaments
  15. Make paper snowflakes
  16. Write a letter to Santa
  17. Decorate a gingerbread house
  18. Host/attend Christmas cookie exchange
  19. Read a Christmas-themed book (or two)
  20. Participate in Secret Santa
  21. Find a new Christmas album
  22. Make Hot Chocolate
  23. Drive around to see the Christmas lights
  24. Make Christmas albums
  25. Make a snowglobe
  26. Have a Christmas dance party
  27. Call Santa
  28. Have a candy cane hunt

Next up on the TBR pile:

somewhere beyond.jpg raeliana5.jpg raeliana6.jpg raeliana7.jpg drop of corruption.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu 19.jpg jujutsu 20.jpg jujutsu21.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg tales accursed.jpg raeliana8.jpg
tags: Christmas bucket list
categories: Life
Wednesday 11.29.17
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Happy Turkey Day!

We're spending the day with friends eating some good food...

35272-cc_tgiving_2_2016.1100w.tn.jpg
categories: Life
Thursday 11.23.17
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

  • J found me a new macbook for a really good price. Excited, but now I have transfer everything over from my old macbook. So much to do...
  • I thought I escaped getting the cold everyone else in the house did, but i was wrong. I feel crappy.
  • Tea is my best friend right now.
  • We've officially lost a library book. Our system allows you to replace the item yourself or pay them to do it. I opted for replacing as the price on Amazon was $5 less than what the library would have charged me. Making a bad situation just a bit better.
  • The server has been very very slow for the past two days. Making watching anything difficult with all the pausing.
  • I really want to make pot roast for tonight, but that means I need to get off the couch and cut up the veggies and sear the meat. Must get moving...

Next up on the TBR pile:

somewhere beyond.jpg raeliana5.jpg raeliana6.jpg raeliana7.jpg drop of corruption.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu 19.jpg jujutsu 20.jpg jujutsu21.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg tales accursed.jpg raeliana8.jpg
tags: Odds and Ends
categories: Life
Thursday 11.16.17
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Fall Bucket List Update #2

Fall Bucket List.png

Alright, I'm getting on board with the seasonal bucket lists. As autumn begins on September 22nd, I thought it would be a great starting line. I know that fall lasts until the winter solstice, but as soon as December 1st hits, I'm all about Christmas. So I'm going to run my fall bucket list until November 30th. I've thought about the things that scream fall to me and created my list.

My current completion 15/35   42.9%

  1. Enjoy a PSL -- Always have to indulge a few times.
  2. Go to a pumpkin patch -- Took Arthur to a small one with tons of bounce houses
  3. Buy some proper cider  -- I bought some cider at Target. Unfortunately, I bought spiced cider and it's a little too orange-y for my tastes. I'll have to pick up some more at another store.
  4. Bake pumpkin bread -- One loaf down, I imagine I will make a few more before Christmas.
  5. Make stuffed acorn squash -- Always love this recipe, but can only make it in the fall when the acorn squash is ripe.
  6. Carve a pumpkin
  7. Make a fall craft with Arthur
  8. Read some scary books -- I participated in Seasons of Reading's FrightFall Readathon. I've read:
    1. 8.4 by Peter Hernon (earthquake thriller)
    2. Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell (supernatural cozy mystery)
    3. The Mummy by Anne Rice (classic horror)
    4. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson (classic horror)
    5. Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff (crappy supernatural YA)
    6. Haunted Castles by Ray Russell (collection of ghost stories)
    7. The Gates by John Connolly (comedic horror)
    8. A Cast Off Coven by Juliet Blackwell (supernatural cozy mystery)
    9. Hexes and Hemlines by Juliet Blackwell (supernatural cozy mystery)
  9. Pick up some fall themed tea -- I grabbed some Caramel Apple Spice at the store!
  10. Take pictures of the changing leaf colors
  11. Make chili and cornbread -- It will be back on the meal plan soon.
  12. Find two new fall soup recipes
  13. Watch Shaun of the Dead for Halloween
  14. Visit a corn maze
  15. Bake fall cookies -- I made some Pumpkin Snickerdoodles, but they weren't the best. 
  16. Make leaf art
  17. Pick up some fall nail polish (and actually do my nails!)
  18. Go apple picking
  19. Bake an apple pie
  20. Make mulled wine
  21. Plan and cook Thanksgiving
  22. Read Kids Books
    1. Fall
      1. The Autumn Equinox by Ellen Jackson
      2. My Leaf Book by Monica Wellington
      3. WonderFall by Michael Hall
      4. Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak
      5. Fall by Kay Barnham
      6. An Apple's Life by Nancy Dickman
      7. Autumn by Stephanie Hedlund
      8. Leaves Fall Down by Lisa Bullard
      9. Kitten's Autumn by Eugenie Fernandes
      10. The Autumn Leaf by Carl Emerson
      11. Who Loves the Fall? by Bob Raczka
      12. Autumn Leaves by Ken Robbins
      13. Little Elliot Fall Friends by Mike Curato
      14. Counting on Fall by Lizann Flatt
    2. Halloween
      1. Countdown to Halloween by Patricia Reeder Eubank
      2. Click, Clack, Boo! by Doreen Cronin
      3. Halloween Hustle by Charlotte Gunnufson
      4. Dog and Bear Tricks and Treats by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
      5. How Big Could Your Pumpkin Grow? by Wendell Minor
      6. Seven Orange Pumpkins by Stephen Savage
      7.  
    3. Thanksgiving
      1. Gobble, Gobble, Tucker by Leslie McGuirk
  23. Decorate the front porch
  24. Buy some pumpkin ale -- I grabbed Leinenkugel's Autumn Shandy. Decent, but I will have to find something else.
  25. Go on a hayride
  26. Celebrate Halloween with costumes and trick-or-treating -- We made it around the entire top of the hill.
  27. Pick up a fall candle -- I grabbed a yummy smelling Orchard candle from Glade. It reminds me of pumpkin and bonfires.
  28. Read a cozy mystery -- I finished Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell this week. I loved it! Will have to pick up the next book in the series.
  29. Make a scarecrow
  30. Make homemade sauerkraut
  31. Toast pumpkin seeds
  32. Have a Monster Mash dance party
  33. Create Halloween and Thanksgiving cocktails
  34. Watch It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
  35. Have a Resident Evil marathon

Next up on the TBR pile:

somewhere beyond.jpg raeliana5.jpg raeliana6.jpg raeliana7.jpg drop of corruption.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu 19.jpg jujutsu 20.jpg jujutsu21.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg tales accursed.jpg raeliana8.jpg
tags: Fall Bucket List
categories: Life
Wednesday 11.08.17
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

November 2017 Life Goals

Let’s check in on October's goals and my progress.

  • Pull off the birthday party -- Success! I think everyone had lots of fun.
  • Buy treats for the MVPA social -- Success! We had lots of fun!
  • Participate in The Mummy Readalong -- Partial success. I finished reading the book, but the discussion got pushed back to the beginning of November. I'll check back in this week.
  • Make 4 New Recipes -- Success! I actually ended up making 6 new recipes this month!
    • Fish with Lemons and Capers
    • Coffee Rubbed Pork Loin
    • Biscuit Wrapped Meatballs
    • Chicken Tortilla Soup
    • Prosciutto and Fig Pizza
    • Waffle Crab Cakes
  • Complete 6 Fall Bucket items -- Success!

November's Goals:

  • Prep Christmas cards to send after Thanksgiving -- I have a ton of cards made. I just need to address them and get them prepped to send.
  • Host Thanksgiving -- We host a small Thanksgiving every year. J and I were just talking about who was coming and what to make. Now to make an official plan and execute.
  • Start making Christmas gift lists -- Even if I don't buy them right now, I like to have a list of things I'm looking out for.
  • Think about 2018 Reading Challenges/reading plan -- Always an end of the year task.
  • Knock off at least 10 items from big to-do list -- I have a giant 4 page to-do list in my notebook. Hoping to cross some items off!
  • Complete 5 Fall Bucket items -- Hoping to finish out strong!

Next up on the TBR pile:

somewhere beyond.jpg raeliana5.jpg raeliana6.jpg raeliana7.jpg drop of corruption.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu 19.jpg jujutsu 20.jpg jujutsu21.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg tales accursed.jpg raeliana8.jpg
tags: Monthly Life Goals
categories: Life
Friday 11.03.17
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

  • October has been an amazing reading month so far. Hoping to finish out strong.
  • Mother Nature really needs to make up her mind about the temperatures around here. Four days ago it was a high of 65, today it's a high of 90. Ugh!
  • I hate having to go to three different grocery stores, but we save so much money!
  • Speaking of, been thinking of trying the new dinner kit service Dinnerly. We like Munchery, but this one is half the price. 
  • I drank an entire bottle of wine by myself last night and I have a minimal headache this morning. Hmmm....
  • That reminds me that I want to make a signature cocktail for Halloween next week. Must go peruse Pinterest.
  • Excited about how many Christmas card designs I've made so far. Now to pick one for November's stamp club...

Next up on the TBR pile:

somewhere beyond.jpg raeliana5.jpg raeliana6.jpg raeliana7.jpg drop of corruption.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu 19.jpg jujutsu 20.jpg jujutsu21.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg tales accursed.jpg raeliana8.jpg
tags: Odds and Ends
categories: Life
Thursday 10.26.17
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

  • The birthday party is over! It was so much fun, but I'm glad it's over for this year. My to-do lists were out of control.
  • On to finishing up our Halloween plans...
  • Speaking of, I need to redo my big to-do lists. 
  • Thinking about all the people affected by the wildfires in North Bay. The region is going to take years to recover. 
  • Loving my reading as of late. Such great books! 
  • Catching up on my podcasts from last week. I just added about 10 more books to my TBR page... 
  • Rum punch is oh so yummy.

Next up on the TBR pile:

somewhere beyond.jpg raeliana5.jpg raeliana6.jpg raeliana7.jpg drop of corruption.jpg seoulmates.jpg jujutsu 19.jpg jujutsu 20.jpg jujutsu21.jpg jujutsu22.jpg jujutsu23.jpg jujutsu24.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu25.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg mayor of maxwell.jpg antidote.jpg tales accursed.jpg raeliana8.jpg
tags: Odds and Ends
categories: Life
Thursday 10.12.17
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 
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