Today I’m in the mood to write. Unfortunately, it’s been three months, so I need to catch up once again. How about monthly highlights with pictures?

November

I’ll also include one Halloween photo with the November pictures since it happened after my last blog post. My daughters, Hannah and Mary were dressed as Daddy and Peppa Pig. My son, Joe, was “Ken” and my daughter Rachel was a modern Belle from Beauty and the Beast.

In November, Hannah introduced me to the Ambience videos on YouTube. I really liked the hobbit houses. The jazz coffee shops, and the Christmas scenes were also helpful in my efforts to slow down, especially on Sundays. The hammock I received the previous Christmas was not used as much as I would’ve liked to have used it. I wasn’t home a lot in the summertime and many times I like to be inside with Twinkie now.

I attended a Miles Christi retreat one weekend in November. It’s a blessing to be able to take part in a silent retreat. I think the benefits are immeasurable. I will hopefully write more on it in another post.

Rachel and Hannah were in their high school’s play called Peter and the Star Catcher. And Joe was the stage manager for A Bright New! Boise at his community college. Bobby and I saw Moulin Rouge at the Bushnell in Hartford, CT, for my birthday. And then there was Thanksgiving, and our annual tree trimming party.

December

On the first weekend in December, I took a trip with my father, sister, nephew, Rachel, and Hannah. We met Bobby in New York City. We saw the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular. We tried to see some more of the Christmas decorations, but got stuck in a people jam. It’s busy there on the weekends in December!!! We also enjoyed going out to eat and we put up the skinny Christmas tree in the apartment.

We saw Nuncrackers performed by a local theater group. I also attended 3 concerts at my daughter, Sarah’s, college; one in which she played piano pieces and one in which she sang with a chorale group.

My mom had surgery on her wrist. So she needed help, and I slept over her house for the first night after the surgery. She’s still recovering, and needs help once in a while. It was nice to spend extra time with her and her dog Rosie. Joe has been busy creating two Lego stop motion movies.

The Christmas season came and went. I did some holiday baking and celebrated Christmas with my mom at my sister‘s house. Then we hosted Christmas Eve with my dad and other extended family. We also attended midnight Mass. On Christmas Day, Matthew and his girlfriend came over for opening presents and our traditional Santa pancakes and bacon. And then on the 26th of December we hosted a dinner with the members of Bobby’s family that could make it. Some of them were sick this year. We had a quiet New Year’s Eve game night.

January

2024 started with a Lord of the Rings movie marathon. Our local theater had the three movies showing in an XD theater, and I indulged myself. I’ve also been reading, listening to audiobooks and doing many jigsaw puzzles with Mary.

We’ve had two snowstorms so far this year. Bobby was away for both of them so I was in charge of snowblowing and shoveling, and I took care of my mom’s car during the first larger storm.

January has also sparked a return to routines. I spent a day revisiting the Flylady’s website. I started practicing a before-bedtime routine and a morning routine that have been so helpful. I think the thing that’s made the most difference is making sure I run the dishwasher and tidy up the kitchen and living room before bed. It feels good to make breakfast in a clean kitchen.

This past week I started to follow a meal plan and a workout plan that is part of an online challenge I joined. It’s an eight week challenge that starts on February 1st, but I started it early. I’m doing very well with the food prep and eating. The workouts are difficult for me because I am not used to pushing myself with exercise. I usually stop when it gets hard. I worry that I’m going to injure myself and I just don’t enjoy exercising. I don’t mind playing a game, like tennis, or taking a leisurely walk or bike ride. I like hiking and snowshoeing and being outside, but not for very long. So this will be a challenge for me.

There.

I’m all caught up now and ready to blog again.

Soon, I hope.