November is a month when many people practice gratefulness and thankfulness. I try to practice these both every day of the year - mainly successful and it is humbling to me in many ways when I'm the recipient of the same. I see many people on FB looking for places to volunteer with their families as they try to teach their children about helping others. I hope they find wonderful opportunities which leads to help more than once a year.
We have been busy preparing for our home projects to be done. We picked out a mantle shelf on Monday and it's beautiful. It came from an old barn and will definitely change the look of our fireplace area. We approved the new living room floor which when installed will hopefully closely match whats on all the other floors. It's a pain in the rump when what you have is no longer made. We also ordered new blinds for the living room as the ones we had have not worked properly in a while. I really need to remember to take before and after photos of the entire living area as it will definitely look completely different when done.
I ate out a few times and it was great to be with friends. I had breakfast out with my BFF after picking out the new mantle. We had lunch with one of our old roommates and it was awesome. We have not seen each other since before Covid and we sat for quite a bit catching up. We had a lovely table near the fireplace and it was cozy. I also had dinner with some friends at a restaurant I have not been too in a very long time. The food was delicious and the conversation flowing.
A life with Marie story for the week...I am starting to put together my cards and such for the holidays. As many of you know I used to send cards for every holiday throughout the year, but have cut that down some to mainly Xmas. Well, I went to look up an address (usually stored in an Excel spreadsheet on my laptop) when I realized I could not find it. Then, I remembered....I have a new laptop and the old one was cleaned and destroyed. Yes I forgot to transfer the address book. I am in the process of trying to reconstruct a new one, but just in case you don't get a card from me; don't feel slighted; as it might arrive after I receive one from you or after the holiday.
This past week I finished reading: "23 1/2 LIES" by James Patterson - 3 different stories in one book. "THE VANISHING MUSEUM ON THE RUE MISTRAL" by M. L. Longworth - book 9 of the Provencal Series) - I have not read any other of the series, but it was interesting and easy. "SWITCHBOARD SOLDIERS" by Jennifer Chiaverini - it's about the first women to join the Army Signal Corps in World War I - really good. I also watched: NFL Icons - Charles Woodson; as well as few Christmas movies.
The daily and wacky holidays for the week...provides something lighthearted to think about:
November 19
Have a Bad Day Day
Play Monopoly Day
November 20
Absurdity Day
Beautiful Day
Universal Children’s Day
November 22
Go For a Ride Day
Love Your Freckles Day
National Jukebox Day – The day before Thanksgiving
National Tie One On Day – day before Thanksgiving
November 23
Eat a Cranberry Day
National Cashew Day
National Espresso Day
Thanksgiving – Eat, drink, and be thankful, fourth Thursday
November 24
All Our Uncles are Monkeys Day
Black Friday – Friday after Thanksgiving
Buy Nothing Day – always the day after Thanksgiving…does anyone abide by it!?!
Evolution Day
You’re Welcome Day – the day after Thanksgiving
November 25
National Parfait Day
Small Business Saturday – Saturday after Thanksgiving
Happiest of birthdays today to my wonderful friend Melanie and my oldest nephew Shamus. Hope they both have wonderful days.
I'm going to leave it here for today. As the sun is up, I guess it's time to begin the day. I hope you have a wonderful week. If you are traveling be safe. Take care. Chat soon. Marie
“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” - Meister Eckhart
“I’m thankful for my struggle because without it I wouldn’t have stumbled across my strength.” - Anonymous