Howdy, gals!
Welcome to Monday (ok, now Tuesday) and the end of September and the beginning of October. I have a busy week ahead, how ’bout you? Even though we are well into fall on anyone’s calendar, it was 101 degrees when I got into my car after school today. Really? Me in my little corduroy dress, trying to pull off autumn when it is still as hot as summer ever was.
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Well, I am wearing fall clothes anyway. Here’s my Tuesday outfit.
So there, El Paso weather!
Take that!
And here’s what else I am doing, currently:
Fluttering. My heart’s all a twitter. You might remember that I made this DIY message board for a Motivational Monday link-up with my buddy Carrie at Curly, Crafty Mom. You can take a peek here. Well, I have been leaving my Prince Charming loving notes on it faithfully every week. But guess what? This past week my PC left me a message!
Missing. My dad. I have probably shared with you that I am especially reminded of my father when I see butterflies, in particular, really pretty butterflies, although I notice all butterflies more since his passing and feel his presence even through a common moth! It seems that the world’s Monarch butterflies migrate through El Paso in the fall on their way to Mexico and warmer climes. Here are just a couple that have crossed my path this week.
While I was working last week as a substitute librarian at Crosby Elementary, I came across this book.
I have probably said a couple of times, at least, how much I love the end of October-beginning of November celebration called Dia de los Muertos. I plan to share a little more about it and some of my favorite children’s books about this Hispanic holiday throughout the coming month. In this sweet story, Lupita and her uncle enjoy watching the Monarch butterflies returning to Mexico. Their return is a sign that Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead is near. When a Monarch lands on her hand, Lupita’s uncle cautions the girl to never hurt the insects as it is believed they are the spirits of the departed. Then when Lupita and her family begin preparations for the holiday, it takes on a deeper meaning. I hope you can find this book to read with someone special in your life.
Relishing. On Saturday evening, PC and I did something different for our weekend date. We went to El Paso’s one and only new Cinemark Movie Bistro. We are now officially spoiled for ever watching a movie at any other theater. The seats at the movie bistro were more comfy than our reclining furniture at home. Having our dinner served to us in front of the big screen was the ultimate experience in movie concessions. I had brisket and green chili tacos, PC had a cheeseburger and fries. We washed it down with a cold beer on tap. The movie was The Intern with Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway. Good food, good movie, good company = good time. Check us out!
Celebrating. My daughter Lauren and her husband Francisco are pregnant with their first baby. Lauren is in her fourth month of pregnancy and a few weeks ago, purchased a SneakPeek early gender test, then submitted the required DNA via a blood test to the company. She and Francisco received the results in an email day before yesterday (Sunday) but they didn’t open the email. Instead, Lauren forwarded the results to her sister Brennyn and me knowing that she had an ob appointment today and might learn then if she is having a baby boy or a baby girl. The plan was that Bren and I would come up with a clever way to reveal the gender of the baby to Lauren and Francisco this afternoon IF they didn’t find out during their appointment. Well, the doctor didn’t do an ultrasound so they left the office not knowing the gender of their baby. Lauren called me to tell me to send our reveal. This is the video Brennyn and her daughter Cady created for the reveal.
I couldn’t do anything as clever so I just bought a pink bunny towel that Lauren had on her Pinterest baby wish list in case she was having a girl. I had the towel sent two-day shipping so they will get it tomorrow but sent this picture of the towel in a text to Lauren and Francisco for the reveal.
While we love the baby no matter whether it is a girl or a boy, I have adored being the mommy of my two baby girls. I love that Brennyn is the mommy of her own baby girl, Cady. And now Lauren will be the mommy of a baby girl, too.
Anticipating. Today I started work at Guerrero elementary school library. I am subbing for the sub, my friend Lori, who started the school year there. The librarian, Mary, retired suddenly just as school began when her young adult daughter died unexpectedly. Mary was well loved by the faculty, staff and students at Guerrero and her retirement has left a sad, empty place on that campus. Lori and I are working to get the library ready for classes and kids. The principal approached me about staying on for a few weeks, maybe months, and I am hopeful HR will approve her request. There are new books to process, old books to weed, spaces to organize, and lessons to teach. So I might be back in a library again for a bit. Stay tuned.
And that’s what I’ve got goin’ on currently. How ’bout you? Would love for YOU, yes, YOU, to leave me a comment below sharing something you are currently up to this fall.
Hugs and kisses,
Sharon
We watched the butterflies in our backyard before dinner. I’ll think about your dad when I see them from now on. 😊 Congrats to Lauren, F and families!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I don’t remember noticing butterflies in my yard as much as I have since my dad died. They seem to be everywhere. Makes me happy. Do you guys have fireflies? I wish we did.
Sharon
That’s a good question. We do have them but nothing like we had in TN. Almost finished with the fall decorating. I went crazy this year! Sending cooler temps your way!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
We finally had fall today! Chilly when I drove to work, big rain and wind forecast for tonight. Got my mums and pumpkins!!
deena
I love school libraries, they are always so cozy and welcoming.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I am sure enjoying being back in the libraries again. Feels like I am surrounded by old friends!
Sarah @ Foxy's Domestic Side
So cute how they did the reveal! And your bunny towel is super cute too. Congrats on having a baby girl, they are so much fun, as you know. I want to see the Intern! I might have to “drag” my mom to watch with me. I went to one of those movie theatres, so cool right? Makes you never want to go to another movie theater again. But alas the price says, nope you still are a regular person who can’t afford every movie like that, lol!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I am so excited that Lauren is having a girl. We would love that baby no matter what but Brennyn has her baby girl and I know Lauren would love having one, too. Of course, those of us who have baby girls know how special they are. We did go to the regular, plain old theater last night to see The Martian. It just isn’t the same! And it would have been fabulous on the huge bistro screen.
Wendy
You are going to have a lot of pink in your future💕. Just started to cool off up here so starting to feel like fall. We’ve been busy having our basement finished, almost done! Looking forward to cool nights and sitting by our new fireplace.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Hope you will share pictures of your renovated basement. You are going to love the fireplace. I have already been asking P if we can have a fire and it hasn’t been below 70 at night!!! Enjoy!
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
That is so sweet that your husband left a message to you on that board, and such a sweet one! My husband and I always call each other soulmates 🙂 I love it! CONGRATS on the baby girl! OH how exciting! And, I am trying to wear fall outfits and thought it’d be pretty cool today… but, I am hot already and stripped down to my cami! Ugh! No puffer vest for me today!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Yay for cooler temps…we are supposed to cool off to the 70s in the afternoons this week. With rain. I am dying to wear my fur vest that I bought on sale at the end of winter.
PC has been really sweet lately! Wonder what’s up? Teehee! He texted me a very sweet message yesterday. Love when he does unexpected romantic things.
We are seeing pink for sure! Actually, coral. Lauren loves it and peach for the baby’s room. Yay!!
Shaunacey
how sweet is that message from PC?! Brent would never write anything that cute lol
Leslie Roberts Clingan
PC has been especially romantic this week. Eating it UP!
Casey
Congrats on the baby girl!! That is SO EXCITING, Leslie!! And I really need to check out one of those fancy movie theaters. They sound amazing!! XOXOX
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Go see The Martian at one of the bistro theaters, Casey. I wish we had saved it for our bistro experience. It would be a great movie to see on that big screen, snuggled up on the edge of one of those comfy chairs.
Lana
Congratulations on the new granddaughter! So exciting. I love that you are surrounded by books all day – being a librarian must be a wonderful job!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Lana. We would love this little one no matter what, but I have loved being the mom of daughters and would be thrilled for Lauren to experience that as her sister and I have.
Patty
Hi Leslie,That is wonderful news about your daughter. Congratulations! I have a 3 1/2 yr. old Granddaughter and a 4 month old Grandson. It is the best feeling being a Grandparent, you will absolutely love it! So much fun! Again, all the best to your family, and can’t wait to hear more about this exciting time in your lives. Have a Great Weekend!..:-) Patty
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, my, thank you, Patty, for this sweet comment. I am thrilled to be a grandmother…again. I have one granddaughter, Cadence, who is five and is the light of my life. I just don’t see her enough!!! But probably would say that even if I saw her every day. I know little boys are precious, too, but I loved having daughters so much and I am so thrilled that both of my daughters will have daughters of their own. Then they can have a whole house full of boys!! Thank you for commenting and sharing a little about YOU with ME. Please come back again. XO
Becky B
A movie night sounds wonderful & adorable outfit!!!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you! I am married to the all-time biggest movie buff. We have movie theater popcorn for dinner a lot on weekends.