October was another busy month (by COVID standards, anyway). October is always my favorite month of the year because of the spooky vibes and fall festivities. Naturally, it felt different and even disappointing this year, but we still did our best to make it as fun and festive as possible. Here’s what we managed to get up to.
Books Read
Another bad reading month where I only finished one book.
- The House on Cold Hill by Peter James
What I Watched
- Halloween Wars
- Halloween Baking Championship
- 20/20
- The Haunting of Bly Manor (haven’t finished yet though)
- American Murder (Netflix documentary)
- Epic Home Haunts
Happenings and Tidbits
- The first weekend in October, Donut Quest continued. Denise picked up Green Acre, and we picked up Duke’s, who has a stand at the Farmer’s Market at the mall. Green Acre is really close by, so we’ve had them before and really enjoy them. Duke’s came highly recommended, but it was our first time. Really delicious, and our winner for that weekend.
- That same weekend, we went to Sips for some seasonal beverages, Caleb had a sleepover with Mimi, and I went to Aldi at opening time for their candle release (as I do, LOL).
- I hosted my very first online Pink Zebra party for my friend Jami and it was a huge success. It was very nervewracking, but it really helped me in my business.
- Jerry and I had our seven year wedding anniversary early in the month! We didn’t really celebrate on the actual day (that came later in the month!). I bought him some video game thing he wanted, and he surprised me with a pink rolling cart and pink zebra stuffed animal for my business!
- Caleb had his school photos taken! They were done in the cafeteria of my old high school. Talk about some weird ass nostalgia and flashbacks being there. Everything looked so much smaller.
- Caleb continued his 100% remote kindergarten days at my mom’s house. He is at a 1st grade reading level or above. We had a virtual parent teacher conference and they are very impressed with his intelligence.
- I decided to start trying out nail strips with my work bestie, and now I’m kind of obsessed with looking at all the cute designs. It’s been a struggle learning to apply and file them so far because I am NOT GIRLY, but we’ve both been having a blast!
- One weekend I went and got donuts and an apple pie smoothie at Krazy Cakes. It was so good! That same day, I did a PZ live unboxing video, and Caleb ran in the room while I was on camera to yell, “Mommy! wipe my butt!” I also made and sold a ton of wax blends and wax minis that weekend. It was a fun but hopping business weekend for me!
- We caught Skippy the ice cream man again one night when my aunt stopped over. It’s always a rare treat for the kids!
- We had Holden’s evaluation for speech therapy and it was approved. Now we’re waiting to get that all started again. The evaluation was done over Zoom and it was a stressful, hot mess. Not a good time.
- Speaking of the hot mess, the kids were really bad during the aforementioned Zoom, and it was the perfect storm to trigger a near nervous breakdown for me. My mental health has been in the dumps lately. I wrote an entire post about it last year, and nothing has improved since then. I think I need to take the next step and talk to my doctor again about changing my meds or talking to someone. I believe my mental health took a serious nosedive after my pregnancy with Holden. I love him dearly and obviously do not fault him, but I had PPD with both children, and the stress and anxiety of adding another became very overwhelming for an already very anxious person. I hate admitting this and talking about this, but perhaps I am not alone. I’ll try my best to keep everyone posted.
- On to better things now! Even though Caleb is learning remotely, the PTA at his school did a pumpkin patch at the school. Each kid could go pick a pumpkin from the lawn one day and Caleb was VERY excited! I loved that!
- My parents also took the kids to the farm one day too, when it was nice and warm out. We usually go every year and do the hayride out to the pumpkin patch, but ya know, COVID. They went on a weekday, and were the only ones there. My dad took some great photos with his good camera.
- We took Caleb to Power’s Farm Market for their Spooky Hayride, and he loved it once again this year. We picked up some great desserts, went inside the teepees, and watched him delight in the hayride. He wanted to back again and again. Next year, Holden may be old enough to go, too!
- Jerry cooked a Mexican dinner for us and my parents. Holden really liked it too! Caleb did not. Shocker.
- Jerry and I had a one night getaway for our anniversary the weekend of October 24th. Since all of the haunted attractions in our area were closed this year, when I saw an ad on Facebook pop up for one kind of nearby, I was intrigued. We booked a dinner / haunt bundle, I found a B&B, and we were off!
- The drive was a little over two hours, and was very easy and a straight shoot. It was pleasant, and we ran into zero issues. We drove in the late afternoon after dropping the kids off to my parent’s house.
- We checked into the B&B a little after 4:00. It was in a place called Herkimer, NY. I researched several places to stay at, and sent them to the owner of the haunt, who verified it was close to the restaurant and haunt.
- We were greeted at the B&B by the very friendly male owner (a retired cop!), and his even friendlier dog (a retired cop dog!). They had very safe sanitizing protocols, temperature checks, sanitizer, etc. We ended up being the only guests that night, and the owner doesn’t live on property. It’s a huge, stately, old home… the kind of home I want to own and live in. It was breathtaking and I keep thinking about it. Our room was gorgeous, as was everything else about it.
- We went to dinner shortly after our B&B check in. Dinner was about 10 minutes away. The haunt is owned by a young 20-something kid, and his parents own an Italian restauraunt, so they did a bundle deal. The dinner was good, but not spectacular. However, it was our first time eating in a restaurant since COVID, so that in itself was fantastic.
- We hoped not to have to deal with a long wait for the haunt, so we arrived shortly before our 8:00 reservation. We checked in with someone and were told to wait in our car. We were told we would get a text when it was our turn. 5 minutes later, we got that text. We were the first people called up, and the first people through that night. Score! Bad news… we selected a “black out” night, which we didn’t know. All the lights were off, and we each had a glowstick, and that was our only source of light. We kept walking into things and didn’t know where to go, plus we couldn’t see the actors, which meant it wasn’t all that scary. It took about 15 minutes to get through and was anticlimactic. We were kind of disappointed. Still fun, but not great.
- Jerry wanted dessert after, so we drove around the town a bit looking for something. We ended up at a gas station buying ice cream. We went back to the B&B and enjoyed that while watching some TV, and called it a night.
- In the morning, we got a nice homecooked breakfast, hot chocolate (for me), coffee (for Jerry) and dog pets. Yes, the retired cop made breakfast and chatted our ears off. He was awesome and we DEFINITELY plan on going back. After that, we headed home to pick up our monster children. It was a nice break from reality!
- After our getaway, it was vacation time for me! I took the whole week leading up to Halloween off from work! You know how most people take vacation time in the summer? Not me. Hate summer. Would much rather have free time in the fall near Halloween because THAT’S my happy time. I didn’t do a whole lot. My first two days off, I was actually SICK because I forgot to take my meds the morning Jerry and I were in Herkimer. Oops. After that, I tried to be productive. My mom came over and helped me thoroughly clean both Holden and Caleb’s rooms. Those were the big projects of my time at home and they look much better.
- I started a new medication for migraine prevention at the end of the month: Topamax. So far, it’s made my very fatigued, slightly nauseous, and taken away most of my ability to feel/taste carbonation. This has been oddly depressing for me since I am a Diet Coke addict and I do not drink coffee or alcohol. So far, it’s too soon to tell if it’s helping with my migraines, but I’ll keep trying it out for a few weeks to see how it goes.
- In September, I was number 9 in sales for my PZ team of 400+. In October, I was number 4!
- The night before Halloween, my dad and I went to the Genesee Country Village and Museum (one of my very favorite places) for a night of Edgar Allen Poe. The reading portion was a bit cheesy, but it was festive and I learned a lot about him, so we enjoyed it. I found out they aren’t doing their Christmas Yuletide in the Country event this year, which really depresses me. It’s probably my favorite event of the year, but I understand.
- Halloween was interesting! We opted not to trick or treat, but we still wanted it to be fun! In the morning, I went and picked up hot cocoa bombs and homemade dunkaroos from a local baker. In the afternoon, my parents came over. My mom was kind enough to help me out making a TON of blends for my PZ customers while Holden was napping. After that, we went back to my parent’s house for a Halloween Easter egg candy scavenger hunt with my nephews. They had a BLAST and still got their candy! When we got home, we watched Room on the Broom and had ice cream sundaes. After the kids went to bed, Jerry and I started to watch the newly released director’s cut of Hell House LLC, but I got too tired to finish it (thanks, Topamax).
Coming Up in November
- I’m starting over with my NEW nutritionist!
- My aunt and I are also going to a salt room. We each won a free session last year, and it’s expiring this month, so we booked our session. Should be interesting!
- I’m having my second Blend Bash this week (and it’s a DOUBLE bash, at that)!
- I have several days off work again – yay! I have today and tomorrow off for my bash, next Wednesday off for the holiday, and several days for Thanksgiving.
- Jerry and I are both having our car inspections and brakes done at the end of the month.
- I’m hoping to get a good amount of Christmas shopping done.
- THANKSGIVING! I always make the pecan pie. We always celebrate with my parents, my brother’s family, and my aunt. Can’t wait!
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