Day Thirty: November Gratitude Challenge

 A special "Thank you" to everyone that followed along this month, especially those that participated on their own blogs or social media!

Today I Am Thankful For:

Christmas trees

Baby Yoda

A puppy sleeping in my lap

Day Twenty-nine: November Gratitude Challenge

 Running a little behind getting this posted today.  As I said in the previous post - I am more than a little scatterbrained right now. 

Today I Am Thankful For:

Family games

What feels like a lazy day, but you actually got a lot done

Christmas shopping

Day Twenty-eight: November Gratitude Challenge

For some reason, this didn't post on the correct day.  Probably user error.  My brain is all over the place over the past week  or so~

 

Today I Am Thankful For:

Taking a deep breath

Grandkid made Christmas ornaments

The first star at sunset

Sunday Inspiration: Make it a Habit

 

Day Twenty-seven: November Gratitude Challenge

 Today I Am Thankful For:

Seeing my mom for the first time in months

Online shopping

Pumpkin bread

Day Twenty-six: November Gratitude Challenge

 

Today I Am Thankful For:

Family

Comfort food

Keeping things simple

Day Twenty-five: Novemver Gratitude Challenge

 

Today I Am Thankful For:

A life-long friend

Christmas lights

A new coffeemaker

Day Twenty-four: November Gratitude Challenge

 

Today I Am Thankful For:

Having the means to put Thanksgiving dinner on the table

And the ability to donate to help others do the same

Hearing the cat purr from across the room

Day Twenty-Three: November Gratitude Challenge

 

Today I Am Thankful For:

Covid-friendly anniversary plans

Eating dinner at an overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Small steps

Day Twenty-Two: November Gratitude Challenge

 

Today I Am Thankful For:

Dental floss

Hugs from my grand son

Frost sparkling in the morning sun

Sunday Inspiration: Counting Blessings

 

Day Twenty-One: November Gratitude Challenge

 

Today I Am Thankful For:

28 years of marriage

Being married to my best friend

Memories

Hopes for the future

Twenty-eight years & Forever to go

Twenty-eight years ago today two kids stood in a church and promised to spend their lives together. 

It's been 28 years of laughter and heartache. Quiet days and grand adventures. Some tough times and so many more wonderful times.  

We've raised two amazing kids and been blessed with a remarkable grandson. 

The best part of all is imagining what is still waiting for us in the years to come. 

Day Twenty: November Gratitude Challenge

 

Today I Am Thankful For:

Ibuprofen

Music

The way both puppies perk up when the Man of the House walks in a room

Day Nineteen: November Gratitude Challenge

  

Today I Am Thankful For:

Spending time with my son

Instacart

Rueben Sandwiches

Day Eighteen: November Gratitude Challenge

 

Today I Am Thankful For:

Starting a new Bible reading plan

Good test results for a friend

My dad surviving his heart attack and open-heart surgery one year ago

Day Seventeen: November Gratitude Challenge

 

Today I Am Thankful For:

Seeing my grown kids enjoy each other's company

Hearing the Etsy app "cha-ching"

Pink clouds at sunset

Day Sixteen: November Gratitude Challenge

 

Today I Am Thankful For:

The morning sky

A new Christmas tree

Working until late in the evening

Day Fifteen: November Gratitude Challenge

 

Today I Am Thankful For:

Silky soft puppy ears

Talking about my fears

My curly hair

Sunday Inspiration: Happiness

 

Day Fourteen: November Gratitude Challenge

 

Today I Am Thankful For:

That the Man of the House tolerates my moodiness

Bananas

Falling asleep to the sound of falling rain

Day Thirteen: November Gratitude Challenge

 

Today I Am Thankful For:

Friday the 13th

A task completed

Quiet time to work

Day Twelve: November Gratitude Challenge

 

Today I Am Thankful For:

When the day gets better

The Man of the House coming home early

Texts that make me laugh

Day Eleven: November Gratitude Challenge

 

Today I Am Thankful For:

My favorite veterans: my dad and the Man of the House

Sunlight reflecting off raindrops

Peppermint Mocha

Day Ten: November Gratitude Challenge

 

Today I Am Thankful For:\

Kisses

Dirty dishes (because that means we have plenty to eat)

The smell of a bonfire

5 To Do Before 52

One thing that became very clear to me over the past year is that you can make all the plans - but you never know what's going to happen or how things will turn out. In my update for my 15 Before 51 list, I mentioned that being in isolation due to Covid-19 put quite a damper on all the big plans I had for travel and adventure.  

That was heavy on my mind when I started a list of personal goals for the coming year.  A part of me considered not creating a list; but in the end, I couldn't completely abandon the idea of setting achievements for myself to reach during the year. This led me to keep the list short - only 5 items where I usually have 15.  I also focused more on personal growth and development.  Things that can be done whether I am able to get out and about again or remain at home for several more months. 

1. Complete at least 3 online classes/courses
2. Reach goal weight
3. Read: The Count of Monte Cristo, David Copperfield, A Movable Feast, The Wind in the Willows,  Tess of the D'Ubervilles
4. Complete a new activity each month to nurture optimism
5. Complete monthly challenges to try new things or help me step outside my comfort zones

That's it.  That's the whole list. Short and sweet. I'll post occasional updates throughout the year to let you know how things are going.  I hope you'll follow along on my journey!

Day Nine: November Gratitude Challenge

 

Today I Am Thankful For:

Puppy Birthdays

Curbside pickup for yarn

The smell of a bonfire

Day Eight: November Gratitude Challenge

 

Today I Am Thankful For:

Clear, cold mornings

The last of the fall colors 

Baking with the grandkid

Sunday Inspiration: Simple Things

 

Day Seven: November Gratitude Challenge

 

Today I Am Thankful For:

Sleeping a little while longer

The dogg-os playing tug of war

The last slice of cheesecake

Day Six: November Gratitude Challenge

 

Today I Am Thankful For:

Prayers answered

My funny kids

Blue Autumn skies

Day Five: November Gratitude Challenge

 

Today I Am Thankful For:

The Man of the House taking the dogs out for me

Goals met - and exceeded

Starting a new book

Day Four: November Gratitude Challenge

 Today I Am Thankful For:

Ordering take-out

Early mornings

Cherry Pie

Day Three: November Gratitude Challenge

 

Today I Am Thankful For:

The right to vote

My handsome husband

A warm pace to sleep on cold nights

Day Two: November Gratitude Challenge

 Today I Am Thankful For:

Dinner in the crockpot

Puppy sneezes

November

Currently... November 2020

 Happy Birthday to Me!  Ok.. it was yesterday.  But I am all for celebrating beyond just one day! 

October was some kind of a month.  We had a new pup with some tummy issues that caused several sleepless nights at the beginning of the month.  He's all straightened out now and seems to have put on a little bit of weight - although he's still a lightweight little thing.  

The Man of the House had to be tested for Covid after a potential exposure at work.  Thankfully, his test was negative.  But it gave me a couple of anxious days until he was able to get in to be tested. 

And the month ended with a tropical storm sweeping through.  Not exactly a common occurrence here in western North Carolina!  Last Wednesday night Zeta brought us heavy rains and tropical-storm-force winds.  A lot of roads were flooded and many people lost power.  We were blessed to keep power throughout and had no damage.

Here's hoping that November is a little more quiet and relaxed.

Working On:  It's time to get ready for the big holiday season!  I'm trying to finish up some new gift sets for my Etsy shop and get them listed.  I'm pretty excited about what's coming.

Reading: Beheld by TaraShea Nesbit and  All You Need Is Less by Madeleine Somerville.  The grandkid and I have been reading Fablehaven by Brandon Mull.  Next, we'll read either Dr. Doolittle or Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing.  I'm secretly rooting for the second one - it was a favorite of mine when I was a kid and introduced me to the world of Judy Blume.

Celebrating: November is always a busy month around here.  It kicks off with my birthday on the first.  We celebrate our wedding anniversary on the 21st.  And of course, there's Thanksgiving.  This year we also have two puppy birthdays - Ziggy's is the 4th and Max's is the 9th.  (Yes, apparently I am one of those kinds of people now)

Loving:  This Autumn has been just lovely.  We had beautiful fall colors (as we usually do) and the weather has mostly been glorious!  (except for the recent storm)  

Wanting/Needing:   I need some recommendations for a good devotional/Bible study book.  I enjoy the YouVersion Bible app for my daily quiet time, but I would like to do something a little different for the Christmas season, or the beginning of next year.

Dreaming About:  The upcoming holiday season and moving on to a new year.  2020 has been a tough year for all of us and I'm praying that 2021 finds all of us feeling more optimistic and being kinder to one another. 

November Goals:

• Complete November Gratitude Challenge
• Schedule one "self-care" day per week
• Increase water intake
• Finish most Christmas shopping by December 1st
• Create December blogging schedule
• Create December graphics for blog
• Create gift set listings for Etsy shop
• Schedule Before Black Friday sale for the shop

What does your November look like?  Do you have any goals for the month?

Day One: November Gratitude Challenge

 

Today I Am Thankful for:

Another birthday

Fresh fruit

My cute grandson

Sunday Inspiration: Happy Birthday to Me!