The end of November was so busy and before I knew it we were a week into December and I hadn't done a monthly recap. I considered skipping it, since it's mostly for me, but as it's already time to be thinking about a Word of the Year for 2026, I figured it would be helpful to review the month even if my post is late. And since the end of December will be even busier, this won't be a good time of year to double up!
To be honest, I didn't think much about putting my WOTY into "Practice" recently, because I'm either busy and trying to keep up, or I'm actively taking a break from being busy and need a nap! Some of the habits I've been intentional about practicing have become part of the routine, such as rehearsing my chorus music on my daily commute home, so I guess that's a success. It has been a bit of a struggle to keep up with housework and with any kind of exercise recently. Part of that is the shorter days, because when I'm driving home from work in the dark, I sure don't want to go for a walk after dinner, and it feels like it's almost bedtime before I've even made dinner. Not that I slept more or better in November - my sleep habits are still not consistently good.
Here's a brief recap of the month so far, along with some photos.
Saturday, November 1 - I spent the morning and afternoon at a Sweet Adelines Regional workshop with nine other members of my chorus, and it was a fun and informative event. Hubby and I went with friends to the Blue Jackets game in evening - our friend has club seats and treat us - wow!! Great game, great seats! And then, sadly, we watched the Blue Jays LOSE when we got home. Total bummer.
Sunday, November 2 - After church we had a little snack to tide us over until late lunch from Panda Express when the kids got here. Panda Express was Veronica's choice for her birthday dinner. She also wanted to play Zoo Tycoon for her birthday activity with Nonny and Poppy . . . which was mostly with Poppy because I don't know anything about those computer games. In the evening I went to church for a craft night, and made a Christmas wall hanging. Is it a wall hanging? I'm not sure what to call it, because a wall hanging is fabric, in my mind. Wall art? Anyway, I'm happy with how it turned out!
Week One, Monday, November 3 to Friday, November 7 - A very standard week of work, with chorus rehearsal and Dinner + Discipleship on their usual days.
Saturday, November 8 - Hubby went to work for a little bit. Then we went to a sports card show in Hilliard, and met the kids for lunch at Starliner Diner. We took Veronica shopping for her birthday stuff, which was a fun side trip to Michaels. Following that, we went hiking at Quarry Trails Metro Park. We had time for a short nap at home before hubby went to the Paul McCartney concert. I enjoyed some alone time at home, and called my Aunt Alice.
Sunday, November 9 - The first snow of the season! After worship team and church, we got pizza for lunch, and then had a long nap. Hubby had hockey, and while he was off doing that, I made a pot of chili, I called my Mum.
Monday, November 10 - Wow, it was so cold! Winter is definitely here. After work, I did a really quick change of clothes and grabbed a bite to eat at home before going to chorus. Attendance was low so rehearsal was a little shorter than usual, which gave me time to have evening coffee at home. A little different from how Monday evenings usually go!
Week Two, Tuesday, November 11 to Friday, November 14 - Remembrance/Veterans Day was on Tuesday, but it was just a regular workday for us. And a regular workweek for the most part. I worked late a couple nights, and we did find time to watch a movie - Small Group - it was pretty good!
Saturday, November 15 - I spent the day at an SVC coaching workshop and then enjoyed a quiet evening at home.
Sunday, November 16 - After church, we went to the Rusty Bucket for lunch with our 55+ dinner club. As we usually do on Sunday afternoon,s we enjoyed a long nap. Before it got too late, we added oil to my car - it was almost dry! - and did some internet shopping and blogging, but mostly a very quiet day.
Monday, November 17 - My lunch break was spent at the dentist for a cleaning. We grabbed Wendy's takeout for dinner when I got home from work, then went to the hockey game.
 |
| My team (Blue Jackets) won, and his team (Canadiens) lost - explains the differing expressions! |
Tuesday, November 18 - I worked late and the drive home was horrible because it was dark and raining. Ugh. After that I was ready for a lazy evening at home, and a phone call with my daughter.
Wednesday, November 19 - Work, Dinner + Discipleship, then grabbed some groceries. I even baked challah before going to bed!
Thursday, November 20 - just a regular work day.
Friday, November 21 - I left work early so I could get ready for an SVC performance. Scioto Valley Chorus was the headline performer at the Harmony for Hunger charity concert.
Saturday, November 22 - I slept late, did a little cleaning and had a quick lunch, then we went to Lancaster with Harrison and family. We visited the Ohio Glass Museum, an antique mall, and had dinner at O'Huids Gaelic Pub. After we got home I did a quick grocery shop and mixed pastry for butter tarts.
Sunday, November 23 - Worship team and church, and then quick lunch. I finished baking the butter tarts and had a short nap before we went back to the church for a meal packing party and Thanks+Giving dinner. Hubby went to hockey and I hopped on a google meet with a couple of SVC friends. When he got home we watched a little TV and had coffee.
Monday, November 24 - work and SVC rehearsal
Tuesday, November 25 - work and shopped for the Thanksgiving groceries I still needed.
Wednesday, November 26 - I went to work but hurried home as soon as I could because Spencer was coming!! We got pizza for dinner and enjoyed the evening with him, and I did a little prep work for Turkey Day.
Thursday, November 27 - Happy Thanksgiving!! We slept in a little and were mostly lazy in the morning, but I got the rest of the baking done, and got the turkey in the oven on time. Harrison, Angela, and Veronica got here mid afternoon and we watched football, finished the food prep, set the table and had dinner about six. We enjoyed dessert and some TV and just hanging out together in the evening. Also celebrated hubby's birthday with his favorite chocolate cheesecake!
Black Friday, November 28 - I did have to go to work, but cut my day a bit short so I could maximize time with my son. When I got home, we snacked a bit, then Harrison and crew came over again and we went to a comic book store and to see the lights on the riverwalk in Gahanna. Got subs to go from Dibella's and ate at our place. Had dessert and coffee before Harrison and family headed home.
Saturday, November 29 - It was a very relaxed morning, and I ran over to Tim Hortons to get takeout for our breakfast and we just chilled. Spencer got on the road about lunchtime. After a little obligatory cry as we watched him drive off, hubby and I watched football and got out the Christmas decor. We set up the tree but left the decorating for Sunday.
Sunday, November 30 - First Sunday of Advent! For lunch we made stuffing waffles and had hot turkey sammiches for lunch. Napped and relaxed, and decorated the tree in the evening.
*********************
Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions;
I will put them into practice with all my heart.
~Psalm 119:34~
*********************
My Word of the Year for 2025 is Practice. Put the things I've learned and that I know into practice. Practice doing what I know I should do and want to do. Practice how I want to perform. Practice―and get better at―the things that are important to me. Make a practice of healthy and beneficial habits and routines. In 2024, my WOTY was Rhythm, and one way I tried to establish a rhythm was by keeping a very brief daily diary, to watch for daily and weekly patterns to develop and to be intentional about keeping the good ones going. In 2025, I'll continue keeping the daily diary, but with a focus on how well I'm meeting my goals in the disciplines I'm practicing. See my WOTY post for 2025 for how I chose this word: Word of the Year 2025 - Practice.
This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Fresh Cup of Coffee helps continue the coffee breaks and conversation. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love comments! Keep the conversation going over a virtual cup of coffee.