This week was a roller-coaster ride. The Great. The Fun. The Sad.
The great part of the week is that I am no longer in the probation period of my job. I’m fully employed again! You have no idea what a relief it is to finally have steady income once again. What’s also great is that I actually enjoy going to work every day and I love what I’m doing and learning.
Just two more reasons I enjoy going to the office! Halloween decor!!
I’m down another half pound. Which is odd because I thought I may have lost a bit more due to the way my clothing is fitting. Plus, this is the only Halloween on record that I never, NEVER, ate any candy. I mean—I didn’t even have a piece of candy corn! Nothing. I’m so proud of myself and I feel like I achieved greatness for not even being tempted.
Don’t judge. I’m going for a pedicure Saturday! A half pound loss is far better than a half-pound gain! It’ll be slow from now on–especially since I am now down to that annoying last ten pounds!
And Halloween was fun. We went through all the candy that we bought. Bags of KitKats and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Every. Last. Bit. And as I handed the kids their treat, I also thanked them for helping me on their diet. Most of the kids looked at me as though I had a few drinks—but their parents totally “got” it—and had a laugh.
My Halloween treat was waiting for me when I arrived home from work. My cousin, John Wynne sent me a copy of his group’s new CD. He’s a flutist with the band “Gatehouse”. They are based out of County Roscommon in Ireland and play traditional Irish music. It’s a beautiful CD and I would play a tune for you if they were on YouTube—but we’ll have to wait. The CD is wonderful—aires, slip jigs, reels—and songs sung in Gaelic. It’s just brilliant!
Tus Nua is Gaelic for new beginning and this CD is the beginning of a very successful group in the world of Irish Trad music! My cousin John is the handsome lad with the dark eyes!
But there was also sadness. The next morning I received the news that one of my New York City friends passed away. It was suddenly so she didn’t have to suffer. My friend Dianna was one of my neighbors in our apartment building. We hung out in the playground—her son Danny and my son Roman have been life-long friends, they have been roommates and they have been band mates in their rock group. In fact, Dianna was like a second mother to Roman—while I was stuck here in the Nether regions of Pennsylvania, Dianna would take pictures of Roman at gigs and just have a great time with the kids. She actually was like an overgrown kid herself.
RIP. The universe gained another shining star!
She left this earth on her absolutely favorite holiday—Halloween. She was dressed in costume as a vampire when she left us. She went out having a great time. I am sad because I never got to thank her for being so good to my son. But I think she knows.
It was hard to focus the past couple of days but we handle these kinds of moments in our own way. I’ll admit—I’m a bit blue right now because it makes me think of my own mortality and makes me think of all the times I can’t run into NYC or Cincinnati at the drop of a hat to visit my kids. I think I made them too independent—and that isn’t a bad thing!
Instead—I decided to focus on the most wonderful time of the year! Oh. Yes. I. Did!
That’s right. Halloween is over, Thanksgiving is the lost holiday so let’s start with Christmas a bit earlier!
I started to pull out the Christmas décor after dinner. Just a touch. Pillows and throws. I’ll do a little more over the weekend. Do you think I need more pillows?????
More pillows and a red throw. I need so much more!
A snowflake platter for the downstairs coffee table so the kids can eat!
This Teddy Bear was a shower gift 33 years ago when I had my first son! He’s still going strong!
Chippy approves of the red comfy throw on the bed!
Time to add to the snow globe duo!
The loveseat in the sunroom, and the two sofas in the living room are decorated with pillows and throws. I’m now in the zone. It’s time to start embellishing and make Chateau Bonaparte look more festive!
Here’s what I wore this week! Take a look..
Oh. And I’m thrilled because my black watch plaid pants that I couldn’t even zipper in the beginning of September, not only fit but they are now loose!
Here’s today’s outfit. The pants are SUPPOSED to be shorter but they are falling down because they are loose. I’ll have them tailored, but not quite yet. I want to do it after that last 10 pounds! NOTE. I always wear a fake pearl necklace of some sort whenever I wear a colored sweater–I think it frames the face in a more flattering way.
Last Friday, jeans day, was a pleasure because the weather FINALLY got cooler again. I wore an old pair of skinny jeans and the boots are by Chinese Laundry. I think they are about 5 years old and they are incredibly comfortable! It was fun to wear a comfy heavy sweater and a plaid scarf!
And then we had Sunday–and the mercury hit 79 degrees! It was summer again!
My Halloween outfit. My concept costume. I dressed as a Ye-Ye Girl. Suede Mini skirt (which I ordered ON SALE at J. Crew Factory. This skirt is a keeper! ) Black sweater, Black thigh-high boots. I’ll tell ya–this is one of my favorite outfits and I’ll be packing it for our trip to Paris later this month!
Tuesday’s outfit was a kicky little red skirt that I normally reserve for December! I LOVE this skirt! And yes. Older women CAN wear shorter skirts! I matured the skirt up a bit with a cardi and shell sweater set!
Red nails and a red leather bracelet (Thank you Anne!) completed the look!
On Wednesday, I was just not feeling up to par, I was a bit sad so I literally threw on an old pair of Pixie Pants that I purchased at Old Navy some years back. I like the pointy toed flats these days–they give a lean look. I wore a plaid (surprise!) shirt from J. Crew Factory that is old as the hills and a navy schoolboy blazer from J. Crew that is now discontinued. I may be in the minority, but I LOVE the combination of black and blue clothing!
Tomorrow is jeans Friday at work. I’m spoiling myself because between the tights and pants, I haven’t shaved my legs in a while! I get so lazy in this weather. Don’t you? Please say you do! Do not make me feel like the only lazy slob–Hahahaha!!
The sauce was a fail. A. Fail!
OK. You know how I wrote that post about what a great saucier I am? Well, Saturday evening we had Steak au Poivre. I screwed the sauce. And I screwed it up because I followed a recipe! I knew I shouldn’t have and I did anyway. The recipe called for beef broth which I thought very odd because I’ve only made it with cream, butter and cognac. Bonaparte breathed a sigh of relief when he mentioned the sauce didn’t live up to the usual and I didn’t freak out. I told him it was my own fault. So the morale of this little story. Go with your gut when cooking. A recipe isn’t necessarily a good one! I learned a lesson!
You can cook. You can wear what you want and you can lose the weight–even if it is only a few ounces during the week–it is better than a gain!!
Today I’m posting an oldie but goodie from Earth, Wind and Fire. “Shining Star” because that’s what Dianna was on earth and she is now a shining star in the universe!
Cathe, I’m so sorry for your loss and sadness. But I am glad to see that you found a little spark of joy to help get you through it. Take care xoxo
Thanks Lori. It kind of puts things into perspective–but you have to always find something positive. I mean-who is lucky enough to leave their earthly existence in a Halloween costume??? What a way to go!!!!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!
So sorry for the loss of your friend. Several things in this post have also been on my mind. How I might have 15-20 years left to be totally independent…to jump in my car or on a plane and go where I want to go…the other one was about making our children be independent adults. It is a good thing to do that, I have done the same but then it also means we don’t get to see them or talk with them as often as we would hope to…because they are adults with their own lives…Glad I raised them this way but love them so much and treasure all my time with them. Also wanted to say you look fabulous..you always look fabulous but I can tell how hard you have worked and it shows. Is it just watching food or are you also exercising ?
Oh Nancy. Independence is SUCH a mixed blessing. It’s so true! On one hand, I’m thrilled to have raised three independent minded children and responsible and socially aware adults. On the other hand, I have many friends who are literally living for their adult children’s caring of their children. It’s a slippery slope it is!!
But thank you–I’m watching food like crazy. Um..excercise? No. I am not one to go to the gym. I park my car far from the office and run up and down our three flights of stairs on a daily basis!! XOXOXOXO!@@
Sorry to hear of your friends passing. It is so difficult to lose a good friend that was such an important part of your life. I love the plaid pants. I have a pair from Talbots and I am finally able to fit into them again, as I have also lost a few pounds. It’s a good feeling for sure!
Oh, the Christmas decor! How I love it.
So sorry to hear about the passing of your friend. It never gets easier to handle losing a loved one. 🙁
Cynthia–you got that right. Oh..and I didn’t get the chance to reply to your comment on the Milan. Right??? It just doesn’t fit me at all. I am LOVING the fact that you feel the same way I do–I need more lift!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Losing friends is the worse. Take good care.
Thanks Bern!!! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO!!!
What a perfect song for your friend! I’m so sorry for your loss, Catherine. You’re looking wonderful in all of your outfits! I have the exact same brown boots (chinese laundry) and they are the most comfortable I’ve ever owned. 🙂 Have a great weekend.
Hi Lisa. Thank you. Yeah–isn’t that a great song for someone who did live as a shining star?? Oh..those Chinese Laundry boots are like slippers!! You have a great weekend too!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Take care of yourself and fall in love with Christmas all over again. Love that the pants are so loose…not that is something! GOod for You!
Hi Jeanne!! Oh. I’m thrilled that the Christmas happiness is spreading throughout the house!! I’m being uplifted!!! XOXOXOXOXOXO!!!
Sorry to hear about your friend Dianna. Sounds like the was an amazing woman.
And congrats on passing probation.
Thanks Strawberry! I love the feeling of having a job to go to everyday. Especially one that I ENJOY going to!! I’m very fortunate!!! Yeah..I was also fortunate in the friend department. Dianna was quite the amazing woman!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Catherine, it sounds like you had quite a week. Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. We just never know what tomorrow holds, but it does kind of give us a wake up call to live life to the fullest while we can. I refuse to pull out the Christmas decor until after Thanksgiving, but a Christmas movie might get watched before then! Ha, ha. Cute outfits and congrats on your great weight loss. You look great! – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
Hi Amy! BTW, I’m loving your blog and just subscribed!!! Thank you!!!! XOXOXO!!!
So sorry to read about the sudden loss of your friend. It does sound like she went while in her ‘happy’ place which in itself is a blessing. My brother was recently diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour and being the type of guy he is says ‘ we can’t change what is we just have to move forward’ Life goes on and we can choose to take the grief or the happy memories with us. I hope you choose to take all the wonderful memories you have of your friend with you as you move forward with your life. Our sixties are such a time of change. We lose family or friends, we may move from a long time home, we retire, we might even divorce but we can also welcome new babies into our families, new family members, new friends, maybe even new lovers and enjoy new adventures of all kinds. We have to make the most of life, we only get one…
On a lighter note you are looking awesome, remember even little half pound losses add up to big numbers ( I need to walk that talk more often) that Ye-ye girl outfit will oh là là tout de Paris!
Toot yer horn bébé!!
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Oh God. Momcat. I’m so sorry to hear about your brother. I hope his journey is as comfortable as it could ever get. He will be in my thoughts. You are so correct with your words in that we have to take the wonderful memories with us and about our sixties being a time of change!!
Oh..those half pounds will definitely add up! Merci!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!
Was in St Trop. Yesterday. Peeked in your Father in laws gallery….sadly it was closed. I’m impressed….really…..he is amazing. Rodini closed until Monday….sigh. We had fun anyway. Love watching all the high end fashion walk the walk in sky high heels…not for this little Canadian girl…
Ali
Hi Ali. Ohhhhhhhhhhh….I forgot that his Maison is only opened during limited days and hours. Bonaparte was thrilled that you did stop by though!! Rondini was closed until Monday!!!!!!!! Wow! During the summer months they are opened all the time!! Oh..as much as I love my heels, I could NEVER walk the streets of St. Trop in anything but flats!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!
Dear Cathy, very sorry for the loss of your friend. Wanted to let you know my husband and i leave for 4 days in Nice Monday night Nov 7…then spend week in France Nov 12-19. Your blog has inspired me to really look forward to this! Thanks you. Sue. PS – I live in Cincinnati 🙂
PPS — week in Florence from Nov 12-19…not France 🙂
Hi Sue! Thank you!
OHHHHHHHHHH…what a great trip!! Nice is wonderful–will you have a car??? I’m so glad that I could be of a bit of an inspiration. My daughter Oona just moved downtown Cincy!!!! XOXOXOXO
I am so sorry about the loss of your friend – she sounds an absolutely amazing woman, inspiring and I am so glad you shared some of her with us. It is hard to move on but, moving on and living life to the full is a wonderful tribute