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?

Currently... November 2019

Today, I have officially been walking the planet for an entire half of a century.  Fifty.  That number has me feeling a little shell-shocked.  I'm not all freaked out about getting older (like I did when I turned thirty).  I'm just finding it hard to believe that meany years have come and gone.  It certainly doesn't feel as if it has been that long. So much of that time has been amazing.  Some of it was pretty good.  And a tiny little bit has been down right rotten.  But every single moment has brought me to where I am today.  And I like this season of life - a LOT!

Reading:  The Testaments by Margaret Atwood and Everybody, Always by Bob Goff.  Just started the first one, so no opinion on that.  Enjoying Everybody, Always immensely!  On the "To Be Read" list for this month are The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff and Tidelands by Philippa Gregory.

Celebrating:  My birthday is just the first of our celebrations in November!  The Man of the House and I will celebrate our 27th anniversary on the 21st.  And of course there's Thanksgiving at the end of the month.

Working On:  Purging some of my clothing.  It is a wonderful feeling to have pants that no longer fit because they are too big - instead of too small!  Even my fitted yoga pants are now more of a loose fit.

Wanting:  To continue losing weight throughout the holiday season; or at the very least, maintain the weight loss that I have achieved so far

Needing:  Some cute, comfy, inexpensive leggings.  Rather than having to buy new clothes every couple of months as I lose weight, I have a few dresses and tunics that I can wear with leggings and sweaters to get me through the winter.  I figure it's much less expensive to replace leggings than jeans, etc.

Making:  Big plans for my Etsy shop next year

Feeling:  Pretty darn good!  I'm so happy to finally feel as if I have control over my weight.  I'm now closer to my goal weight than my start weight.  I'm seeing and feeling physical changes.

Enjoying:  Wearing all my somewhat-too-big-jeans before they get so big that I can't wear them anymore.  I haven't tried on my favorite jeans, which were too small before - but that's happening soon!  (fingers crossed)

Anticipating:  The Man of the House and I have planned a trip up to Cleveland.  We're going to the Football Hall of Fame, a Browns football game and the Rock n Roll Hall of fame.  And maybe a few other things that catch our fancy along the drive.

That's what November looks like for me.  What are you up to this month?

Currently... November 2017

November isn't just another special month to me.  I think you could honestly declare it to be the biggest month of my life!  The month kicks off today with my birthday.  I also married the love of my life during this month 25 years ago.  It's a pretty great time of year!

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Reading:  I finished reading The Secret History of the Mongol Queens, which was very interesting; as well as She's Still There, which was awesome.  I thought I was going to be reading  The Boleyn King by Laura Anderson in October, but I had it confused with The Last Tudor by Philippa Gregory - which is what actually I did read.   Now I'm working my way through a biography Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie, as well as  A Million Little Ways: Uncover the Art You Were Made to Live by Emily P Freeman.


Eating:  Um... what ever I want!!  While I'm going to try not to go too over the top crazy, I'm going to savor each of November's celebrations and all the tasty things that go along with it.  Including my free Starbuck's birthday drink.


Working On:  Can I say it?  Washcloths!  Yes, seriously!  I'm also working on trying to get out of the house a little more and expanding my social circle a little.  There are a couple of crafting and crochet/knit groups I'm going to check out.  And a program or two at the library I hope to attend.


Enjoying:  It probably sounds pretty cheesey, but I am going to go ahead and say "life" !


Anticipating: Obviously, the upcoming holiday season!  I'm more than ready for some turkey dinner and pumpkin pie.  Yummy!  

My Etsy shop is having its second annual Before Black Friday on the 17th.  This went really well last year and I'm praying it does as well, or better, this year. 

Mostly, I am anticipating celebrating our 25th anniversary with the Man of the House later this month!


Feeling:  So very incredibly blessed!!!