No.710: November in Review & Goals for December

FIVE THINGS I LOVED

1. the most beautiful buck spotted in our front yard
2. a surprise piece of snail mail after a long week
3. getting to November 15th before turning on the heat
4. beeswax pillar candles from Sloan Family Farms
5. celebrating 17 years of marriage

FIVE LESSONS I LEARNED

1. Suffering isn’t a competition. // I often berate myself for not being able to handle struggles more gracefully while people we know are going through “harder” battles (an unforeseen job loss, a second trimester miscarriage, etc.).  But isn’t that silly?  Everyone has crosses and they’re all different.  And while it’s important to keep small struggles in perspective, it doesn’t make the suffering feel less hard.
2. A little distance from farming has reignited my love for it. // I was so burnt out earlier this fall and began questioning all of my life’s choices.  (More than a little dramatic, but you know what I mean.)  Thankfully, by focusing on other things for awhile, I’m feeling a twinge of excitement for our homestead again and have even started making plans for 2023.
3. Burning the candle at both ends will come back to haunt you eventually. // I was sick not once but twice(!!) this month.  Thankfully, my symptoms improved after a couple days of rest, but I definitely need to start taking better care of myself, especially with winter on the horizon.
4. Feelings are feelings and thoughts are thoughts; feelings and thoughts come and go, but we are not our feelings and thoughts. // I actually read this in the comment section of someone’s blog!  (There’s wisdom everywhere if you’re open to receiving it.)  I thought it was a good little mantra for when I spin myself into a tizzy of overwhelm or frustration or worry.
5. We have lots to be thankful for this year. // Lots and lots and lots.

FIVE GOALS FOR NOVEMBER REVIEWED

1. ✔ Pray novena prayers for the holy souls in Purgatory all month. // I received a little prayer card in the mail from Our Lady of Solitude Monastery and faithfully used their beautiful novena prayers.  I only missed a few days!
2. ✔ Plan a simple Thanksgiving dinner. // We were on our own for Thanksgiving this year, but we still enjoyed our simple day.
3. Finally finish the laundry room walls! // The project that never ends!  I was able to sand down the skimcoating (with a hand sander, which took forever) and am all ready to paint this weekend.
4. ✔ Plant garlic. // My first experience with garlic was super easy!  I went with Territorial’s Sliver White and followed these tips.
5. ✔ Finish Christmas shopping. // I still have a few stocking stuffers to go, but I’m considering this a win!  Such a relief that I won’t have to stress all through Advent.

FIVE GOALS FOR DECEMBER

1. Wrap, wrap, wrap!
2. Mail extended family gifts and cards early in the month.
3. Sew up the remaining three cross-stitch pillows for the big boys.
4. Finish an introductory Javascript coding course.
5. Relax, reflect on the year and brainstorm goals for 2023.