On Friday we said good bye to summer of 2023. And for me, it was an odd one. What started off fine made a turn for a, well, for a challenging one.
Bye Bye Summer! See ya next year!
Granted, I was fortunate enough to go to France, but while there, I had a premonition that my job was somehow endangered. My feeling was spot on because as soon as I went back to the office, I discovered my position was eliminated.
Do you think someone was angry that I was in France?
That’s the end of what I’m going to say about it other than I will continue to feel that one person, and only one person, was responsible for that.
The remainder of the summer floated by in a blur. The weather was hot and humid, which is expected in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic areas of the States. I had MOHS surgery on my leg as the result of too much sun and not enough sunscreen as a child.
The hole in my leg is now replaced with a perfectly round scab.
We had a great weekend on Long Island at my sister’s house and spent almost every remaining Saturday at Stone Harbor. I read books. I journaled. I got triggered by MSNBC and CNN and their constant showcasing of that criminal ex-president.
I’m somewhat relieved to be taking a break for the beach until next year!
My journals, all three, have a lot held inside!
I lost weight and have been doing it by NOT dieting. Everything that I eat or drink is tracked. I’m mindful of the pasta and bread and have cut down. The sweets are taken in bits and pieces. I have ten pounds to go but I’m not putting a timeline on it.
With around ten pounds to go, I’m feeling more comfortable in clothing!
In fact, the only timeline I’m going by is this—if I don’t find a job in three months, by December, I will apply for retirement benefits. Simple as that. I cannot make anyone hire me. I cannot compete with youth. I’m tired of human resources and corporate culture. The thought a job interview and the phoniness that accompanies it, turns my stomach. I am, however, working on writing something. I don’t want to give it away because I’m superstitious.
No! Retail hours are horrific. As much as I enjoyed my time at Nordstrom, those weekend hours were brutal!
Instead, I’m welcoming the Autumnal season with open arms and a comfy sweater! The shorter days will keep me focused on what I need to do. It is much easier to procrastinate during the warm weather when the flowers are blossoming and the trees are at their shade-providing fullest.
This sweater is light enough to wear during the early autumn and it goes well with leggings!
This is the time of year I bid farewell to my Fragonard Fleur d’Oranger until next summer and spritz on my Santal sandalwood scent by the same maker. It smells like Fall. The wafting scent makes me feel as though my sweaters, blazers and jeans have become surrounded by a protective cloud that smells delightful and makes me happy.
Goodbye summer floral scent. Hello woodsy, tweedy autumn scent!
It’s the time of year when I appreciate my pajamas and loungewear. Today’s weather is gray and gloomy and damp and rainy. We had to go to Costco and run a few errands. Although I did dress appropriately, I couldn’t wait to get home, change into an old pair of pajamas and start to compose this blog post.
This is what I wore to Costco earlier today…
And as soon as we arrived home, I performed a Stairway Striptease and threw my pj’s on! I’m so comfortable right now!
And speaking of Costco, there were no Halloween decorations nor did I spot anything Thanksgiving related.
I guess The Great Pumpkin no longer is of any importance.
The Christmas décor was showcased—but I would be hypocritical if I pooh-poohed that because our fake sunroom tree has been standing since last November. I was too lazy to take it apart. Don’t judge me!
Costco greeted us with this…
..and this. And as I tsk-tsked my displeasure,
I realized how hypocritical I was. The tree has been in our sunroom for almost a year. It’ll come down in 2024.
Perhaps I’m not a pumpkin spice person—I can’t stand it. But I’m a tea person. And during the summer months, I don’t drink tea unless it’s Lipton Iced Tea. Now, the kettle that stands upon the burner on our stove is filled with water and whistling while it is done working the boiling water.
Meringues are currently in the oven and when this post is finished, I’m putting the kettle on for a cuppa!
The seasonal wreath hangs from the front door.
The extent of the autumn-themed decor is on the front door.
Last night’s dinner started with home constructed escargot. I took care to make the garlicky and parslied butter. I carefully stuffed the shells with butter, snail, and more butter. Half of what I made was frozen and we enjoyed the other half.
It was a process albeit not a painstaking one. These little babies were prepared ahead of time.
Crème Caramel, my husband’s favorite dessert, was gently baked in a Bain Marie in the oven until it reached that custardy texture.
My husband’s favorite dessert. I don’t eat it at this juncture but it is very comforting!
And, the music changed from classic rock to Classical. I know and realize some of you reading this must think I’m an absolute lunatic for my seasonal music changes but I can’t help it. Summer, as well as Spring, puts me in that frame of mind where I want to listen to bubbly, happy, pop music from the 1960’s or my beloved classic rock. Jimi Hendrix and the Kinks are in rotation hibernation for now.
Jimi. Don’t look so sad. You know how much I love you. But it’s Classical music season now!
You too, Sir Raymond. Your resting period starts now!
Fall and Winter are a blend of Classical music and Christmas or Holiday tunes. As college football kicks off the season with a full stadium, my autumn kick-off is Scott Joplin then segues into Mozart, Schubert, Saint-Saëns with a touch of New York Jazz Trio.
Welcome back Monsieur Saint-Saens. You’re just in time to get ready for Halloween. Can we have a bit of Dance Macabre please?
In fact, I must resume my Christmas 2023 Spotify Playlist. Always in search of different holiday tunes, I’ve amassed quite the collections over the past few years.
My favorite Spotify discovery is this song. Six Cups of Eggnog was on my Christmas playlist last year. It’s being repeated this year!
The thing is, I welcome the toastiness and comfort of Autumn. For me, it is not so much as the foliage—I am not crazy about the colors—they are too warm for me, but it is about the mindset. Knowing that you are headed outdoors to that slap of crisp, cool air after being dragged down by heat and humidity.
It’s that first day when the air is crisp, the leaves are falling and you are awakened by the cool blast of air!
It’s not about drinking coffee to wake up, but it’s that afternoon cup of tea or that inviting mug of hot cocoa or hot apple cider. It’s a vibe.
Hot apple cider. MMMMMMMM!
As I prepare to buy Halloween candy for the neighborhood kids, as I glance out the front windows onto the trees that are slowly both changing hues and losing leaves, as I listen to the TV upstairs as my husband relaxes by watching his French shows, as I spot Chippy underfoot, warming my feet and finally, as I think about how my three children grew up into hard-working, pragmatic and socially conscience adults, I realize this season we are now welcoming, is a wonderful one.
There is something very comforting about having Chippy underfoot as I’m writing..
But it is more comforting to know that these babies of mine have grown up into outstanding adults!
Lovely writing as always!
I love autumn too for many of the same reasons. Fall foliage and cool temps are big reasons to love this season. Go for that retirement. So sad that one person can influence your future. And you were a stellar employee. Hope they realize, too late, what they lost.
Keep blogging – love your writing
Thanks Bonnie. The foliage today is very wet because it is still raining. Ahhhhhhh. Feels like Fall!
What a lovely post, Catherine. You write so authentically about your life and where you are emotionally at any given time. I too am welcoming fall and some cooler temps and rain out here in the Pacific Northwest after a wonderfully warm and sunny summer. Good luck with your job search; clearly your old firm didn’t appreciate your gifts!
Hi Elizabeth! And thank you for your encouraging words. I know that it is time to turn the page so to speak, but it still stings knowing the way I lost my job–especially since I loved it!
Autumn/Fall is my favorite!
Hi Tony! Summer used to be my favorite but as I am getting older, Autumn and Spring are evolving into mine. It’s so weird!!!!!!!!!!!!
Autumn I’d my favorite time of year. It feel comfortable and restful to me.
I wanted to commend you on your post. I know you do them from your heart. I so enjoy your sharing them. Thank you.
Thank you so much Debra. Your comment makes me feel good. My husband suggested I write a book but I’m hesitant because I don’t think people want to read “from the heart” essays, etc. Maybe I can change up my mind!~
Love the way you change the seasons in your life. Here in Southern California, it’s hard to see the seasons change. Would you please write a detailed blogpost of your undiet diet. I need something other than WW and Noon and etc, etc and so forth. Your undiet, diet sounds about right and doable. I just got home from Costco and changed into a short sleeved top and capris. Too hot here. Always enjoy your writing.
Hi Sandy. I uploaded an app. It’s fatsecret and is soooooooooooo much better than the WW app. Quite frankly, I’m disgusted with WW. They stopped the meetings due to most of the closures of the physical sites and those meetings were everything. In addition WW keeps changing their programs. Noom–forget it. I’m not paying that kind of money to join.
What I’m basically doing is cutting on carbs. I will enjoy bread and a bit of a sweet on the weekends but not on the weeknights. I’m still eating –just half of what I used to eat. It’s funny because yesterday and Saturday, I made meringue cookies with leftover egg whites. I hadn’t had anything with sugar in a long time and I could not get to sleep last night because I ate about 6 of the little meringues but they had sugar. So, I’m learning as I go along.
Oops for a quick second these old eyes thought that there was a spider in the cider but a quick blink confirmed the star anise..much tastier! Your weight loss prescription is bang on…everything in moderation and moderation in everything! As we move forward in our bodies ‘dieting’ is not healthy at all. You always look awesome!
All success with your job search but if not, retirement is not a bad place to land. It might be the time to try your hand at a new career!
Thanks Al, Yeah. Every day is a challenge. My husband keeps telling me to “let it go” inasmuch as I do feel I was let go in a terribly unfair way. It’s difficult but my feelings are fading. Time to move on. I’m pretty sure that I’ll end up retiring simply because at my age, I would not get hired!
What a fantastic post.
I’m finally hitting the near end of the line with lifelong self-employment and will be going the SS route 13 months from now – always figured I would work forever so it’s weird. For the interim I’m actively working on retiring *to* something and exactly what fabulousness shall be planned and created. You have provided wonderful food for thought.
Thank you for your wonderful blog.
Hi Lisa! And I thank YOU for enjoying this blog. It’s funny but I’m here answering comments on another gray rainy day, and I don’t mind!
I don’t mind tha weather! I’m happy to answer comments. I don’t think my original comment sounded as great as I meant it-LOL!
I always enjoy your posts. You have a
Similar outlook to mine. I need to work on your undies. Might be the way.
I’m sorry about your job loss. It’s always so unfair. I have retirement to be the absolute best!
Hi Cathe, I don’t comment a lot but I completely enjoy your blog. That person made a tragic mistake in letting you go…one that was likely rooted in jealously. Son’t let it get you down. Keep writing. Write a book! Organize a tour group. I would go!! There are companies that can help organize these trips if you don’t want to book everything. You keep me inspired to keep going past my 40s.
Cathe, I always enjoy your blogs, and love to read them. Oh, one thing hit me at the beginning pf your blog this time. You mentioned the continuous coverage of the ex-president on MSNBC, and especially CNN (which has in my mind become Fox-Lite) I am so angered by this, as I know the media got that individual elected the last time, by the constant ‘tam tam’ of coverage, don’t they see what they are doing? Rhetorical question, but it’s so scary to watch, and to contemplate what could unfold. 🙁
Stay well, they lost the best employee they had at your place of work, they will realize it in time. Keep up the great work here with us.. XOX
Hi Catherine, I’m a long time reader from England – I loved this post. It made me feel so much better about the end of summer, I’m looking at Autumn in a whole new way. Sorry about the loss of a job that you enjoyed but I have a feeling this is going to be a new opportunity for you. Everything you write is interesting and fun, thank you. All the best, Carol.
Yes! I have 10 pounds to lose and I have started the No Diet Diet. Thanks for the inspiration. I will do intermittent fasting too, 12 noon to 8pm is my eating window period. Lise