1. What’s one fun thing on your December calendar? 

I mean, there’s a lot but it’s all muddled by the stress of getting to those things! We have our 3rd annual Christmas party, which is huge. Then the Brew Club party, then actual Christmas, and then going to Pensacola to see family. Sorry, I know that was 4 things. 

2. Sherwin William’s Color of the Year for 2024 is Upward, described as ‘a hint of silver lining’, ‘a breezy blissful blue’ (see sample here). Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year for 2024 is Blue Nova, where ‘violet and blue come together in a sumptuous hue’. (see sample here) Valspar’s Color of the Year for 2024 is Renew Blue, a balanced blue with a touch of grayed sea -green’ (see sample here). 

Seems like the design world is keen on the color blue for the new year. Do you have a lot of blue in your home decor currently? What shade? Of the three colors listed which one’s your favorite? Do you need to paint? How likely is it you’d select one of these shades for your home? Which one?

I like all three of those, though #2 I might not put in my home. My car is that color though! I think I’d pick the third one and mostly because I have some similar ones already in my home. I’d say I do have some blue in each room actually. My kitchen background color is a light blue.

3. Do you struggle with ‘the seasonal blues’? What are some things you do to try to beat the blues? 

Yes, but mostly when it is gray and cold out. Sunny days do help. Sometimes I also let the stress of getting it all done bring me down. To combat, sadly, I probably drink too much beer during the week. But I also try to make time for myself and fun things. Like Monday night, we watched Elf, so that was nice.

4. Blue jeans…love ’em r no? How many pair do you own? Are you married to a particular brand? 

Yes, that’s my go-to outside of work attire when I am not wearing shorts. My problem is that I go to Goodwill and try some on until I find ones I love but then, when those wear out, i can’t find them again. I have blue jeans that are Lee Riders but there’s holes in them now. And then I found a black pair from H&M that I love but cannot find them again, not even on ebay.

5. In terms of holiday preparation (baking, shopping, wrapping, mailing, meal planning, etc) how far along are you? 1=haven’t given it a second thought, 10=nothing left to do but wait. 

Maybe a 4? I have a lot of decorations up but not all, I have gotten some presents but not all, I have not purchased a turkey for the meal, and I have still got to wrap, of course. I think I will make huge strides this week. I wrote that answer on Tuesday and then, last night, I got more decorations up and I actually cleaned some – little things like vacuuming rugs, etc. I felt SO good about it! We sat down to watch a movie then remembered some kegerator stuff we had to do and that got accomplished too!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

TMI time; as I near 45, period becomes more erratic. A week late is not a big deal but I am also still in the potential child-bearing time. Luckily, that wasn’t the case so that’s one less thing I have to worry about this week. Now it’s just: cleaning, decorating, getting the house ready for our huge Christmas party next Friday, finishing all these dang bills at work, and everything else Christmas under the sun! Last night worked out well, time-wise so here’s hoping today does too. The only thing that didn’t is the pharmacy was closed by the time I got there. At 7! I was pretty annoyed. Today, I am taking my lunch break and headed there instead, I guess. It’s nowhere near my office but so be it. I have to work within their hours I guess.

It’s colder today and will be colder tomorrow – 30s I believe. I love how no one ever thinks Florida gets cold but yo, we do here! Granted, I’m only 20 mins from the Georgia border so there’s that. The problem is my office is colder than normal and its normal setting is “arctic” so today is a bit irritating already. Thinking when I run my lunchtime pharmacy errand I’ll be picking up some “you deserve this” food!