Happy Spooky Season everyone! Welcome to Pumpkin Fall, even if the weather isn’t very Fall-like. As we turn the calendar to October, here are three things I’m looking forward to:
1) I’m excited to try some of the Fall Coffee choices at Cutie’s Coffee. Coming up to bat is the Carrot Cake Latte which I’ve had my eye on since they previewed the new menu back in August. On deck are some of the other pumpkin options that Cutie’s has to offer. The Pumpkin Cheesecake looks scrumptious, as does the Cutie Pumpkin and Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew. In the hole are the Chais. I’m getting serious Harry Potter and Hogwarts vibes seeing a pic of that Butterbeer Chai. OMG it’s Pumpkin season, so why not try the Pumpkin Snuggle Chai as well?
2) It’s vacation time starting next Friday. My week off runs from October 12-18. There’s a lot that I have planned but the three things that excite me about my week off include:
A) the Gaffron family reunion on October 12 at Laurel Hill. I’m still going to bring cookies but I might want to make something too.
B) One day during vacation, I want to go to either Downtown Pittsburgh or the Pittsburgh Zoo. If I go into the city, I’d love to visit the Andy Warhol museum.
C) Homecoming at Slippery Rock University. This trip is a special one for me as it marks 20 years since I graduated; thus, ending my college days. It would be my first real homecoming trip since 2017.
3) October 25 is the District 13 Fall Symposium. It will be held at the Doubletree Hotel in Pittsburgh near the Airport. The keynote speaker will be Craig Valentine, and I am excited for all that this event and what is on the agenda.
The tools to having a great week off will be to:
- Find a balance between family time and everything that I have planned. Maybe Mom, Annabelle, and I can do something on the days that she’s home from school.
- Don’t eliminate it entirely, but cut down on social media use during this week. It’s a crazy time that we live in politically, and looking at any links related to that will just leave me feeling discouraged. Even if I agree with what’s posted, I’ll still get depressed.
- Don’t overthink! I know, easier said than done, right?
I’m also hoping to get out to Ligonier at least once while I’m off and enjoy life. Meet Me at Luke’s is out Tuesday and I am excited to read it. In fact, the best place to take it may be a coffee shop or quaint little town (hint hint). As I read through the chapters, I’ll give my review of the book.
This month is a wrap on the 2025 Dinner Series with Mr. Clougherty as he and I have dinner at Primanti’s close to home.
It’s Annabelle’s birthday month as celebrates a big one this year. Just in time for vacation, it’s contest time at WCCC as the division’s best compete for a spot at the District 13 Humorous Speech and Table Topics contest.
Finally, what’s a vacation week without Toastmasters visits? I’ll be embarking on a road trip Tuesday night to attend a Johnstown Toastmasters meeting. There’s a taco place on the way that I want to stop at. Plus, I’ll drive by the Hiram G. Andrews Center.
Online visits are also in the works with Cranberry High Noon and Country Roads meetings bookending the week. Of course, I’ll go to my home club on October 15.
Stylish 🍒 