Sunday Saying Goodbye to November

[Lady Maverick]

December is knocking on our door, promising a new month with fresh start. But as we start getting excited for next month, we say goodbye to November and take a look back.

What was your best memory from November?

[Lady Maverick]

It has been an incredible experience this past week with DGD3 being with us. I will forever treasure not only DGD3 visit but what it means in DD healing relationship with her family. I consider it nothing short of a miracle. Yesterday I took DD to visit both of her Grandmothers at their homes for the first time in over 6 years. DD gave both of her Grandmothers hugs and told them she loved them. DGS17 joined us for lunch then DD and DGS17 spent an hour together walking around at the mall (I kept the 2 little ones in the children play area). I'm not saying everything was perfect (I had to bribe DGS17 to show up), but it was a wonderful step in DD reestablishing relationships. Last night DD spent 2 hours focusing on LO before she left. She gave DH and myself BIG hugs and told us several times how much she appreciates and loves us. I'm not wearing rose colored glasses and know there is still a looong way to go, but this has been a huge step in the right direction.

[DeeClutter]

Hooray for good steps, LadyM! How long was dd staying with you. Know the need for these relationships to grow.

My scale was very happy this morning! After 5 days of 3 full meals a day, along with some pastries and desserts -probably didn't have seconds, nor a snack very often. But -ta-da! I had gained all of 2/10ths of a pound. Was sure I had to have gained at least 5 or 6 pounds. So that has to tell me something.....it can be done. I probably just need to get in my steps, no seconds and no snacks. That's 3 s's as I look. My sugar count also stayed pretty good as well. Yesterday morning I glanced and thought it said 197 and looked again -97. Whew, that sounded much better!

Have to go eat breakfast now and get ready for church. BBL

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Lady Maverick: I'm glad you had such a wonderful visit! And you'll be saying hello to your new home in December. How exciting!

I'm up. Very late. As in, over an hour late.

Scrambling. I'll probably take my computer with me today so I can post. I have a short 'lull' time in the afternoon when I'll be able to just sit for a bit. Am considering heading to the church office at the second church and napping in the recliner there. Will bring a warm blanket with me, in case I decide to do so.

Just noted I'm withing 200 steps of my goal of 300K steps for the month so I'll definitely make it today!

[Twins' Mom]

I've been puttering around doing some clean up from last night. Need to get on with walking ddogs et al and a.m. routine. I think dh and I are going to see The Theory of Everything this afternoon. I am also going to make chicken soup today...

So so happy for LM, dd and her family and this time together.

I can't even write this morning for ddogs on top of me or wanting in and out so I might as well get busy.

-brush teeth, wash up and get dressed
-walk ddogs
-finish kitchen clean up
-find the chicken soup recipe - I don't follow it exactly but use it as a guide
-take out kitchen trash

[Nancy]

Slept into this a.m. b-r-r it's cold outside here today! Yep glad to say goodbye to this mo.

Hens watered and fed.
Journal done
Breakfast eaten
Coffee made and drank
Have a great day!

[Harmony]

I am regrouping here. My desk is piled up, laundry to do, floors to mop. I haven't unpacked much.

We (we, ha! I guess I goofed but he never checks anything) left his battery toothbrush behind. Then flip top bottle opened and dribbled on everything in the overnight bag... and of course everything that happens is MY fault. So this morning first thing I went out, got another toothbrush, another cosmetic bag set for me, put name tags on his, put little bottles without flip tops into plastic zipper bag, organized everything. I refuse to be in charge of his stuff any more. Whatever he packs / unpacks / brings back / forgets / won't be my fault any more.

I know this sounds petty. But he does so little personal stuff for himself so that when something goes wrong it's always me to blame. We have so many things that are irritating right now. I think it's his frustration with aging and health challenges. DD's DMiL was telling me the same about her DH. He is over 70 now, still working, and gets quite irritable also. Raspberries to all that.

I don't know what to do next. I guess I'll just keep puttering around, unpacking, kitchen work, decorating (do I still have enough lights - probably not). Played hookey from church today. Building program has us at odds. That's a long story.

LadyM, I'm so happy for you things went well. A few steps down the right road. I'll be praying for more.

[Ramblinrose]

Morning y'all

I am most thankful for time spent with my son and his gf. I enjoyed and savored every minute of it. We all had a blast with both fun and quiet times. I always hate when my son and I part... You would think after twenty six years of doing this it would become easier but it never does.... Hard to watch my son turn away from me and walk away to his other life...

So glad your time with family was so wonderful LadyM. Just take all those mental pictures you have just placed in your heart and memory and save them for the rough days you may encounter in the future. They will serve you for your foundation of hope.. So happy for you and the healing power of love that your dd was able to share throught her/your family ...

Harmony.... You are NOT being petty. It always hurts when you try so hard to care for others and get blamed when things go wrong. Hugs to you. As my mom, almost 87, keeps telling me growing old ain't for sissies. Especially when your identy is tied up in doing things that require strength and physical doings. I guess that's The reason... Grumpy old men...was coined

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Using the internet at the retirement home to peek in. Off to the church office for a nap next. The minister decided to stay out in the villages (he lives in the city too) and take a nap at the office as well. So we negotiated times (there's only one recliner!) He's napping now and I'll be arriving shortly before he leaves for dinner out with a family from the church. Bonus for me, the office will still be warm! He said last Sunday the office was really cold while he napped.

We expected almost no-one in church this morning but instead unexpected three families showed up, one from our sister church, one whose only been twice since the minister started with us, and the family who bought our house! So it was very noisy but busy. We had 22 adults (a recent record) and 15 children (another recent record.)

TTFN - see you all much later tonight.

[helia]

Sneaking in a post. . . I usually have a computer Sabbath until 5 pm on Sunday, but I needed to check the hours of a couple stores. I also need to do some shopping this afternoon b/c I forgot to buy a baby gift for newest dniece (1.5 months old now?) to send with dh tonight.

((Harmony))
WTG Dee! I've heard stories about weight gains on cruises and I'm very impressed! Welcome back!

Dh worked on the chicken house this afternoon and prepped some things for winter; I think he used up all the gas in the mower and maybe checked on/filled the snowblower. He has now gone to his office to meet with a couple of his students before he leaves town.

I scooped the cat's litter and cleaned the g. pig cage this afternoon. It had been a LONG time since I had done either one. They really needed it!

Dh will leave about 8:45 tonight for his flight 2 hours later. I'm not sure when ds and dd19 need rides back to campus. Ds says he's going back before dinner.

I'm off to the mall and then to REI to look for smart wool socks for my parents for Cmas.