Things from November

I think I’m in denial we’re already here – and by here I mean 11/12ths of the way through 2016. I love this time of the year – especially all the gatherings and all the traditions. But, honestly, this year has been so speedy. I have managed to write our year-in-review Christmas letter and order several gift ideas after basically having no inspiration.

But, wait, there’s plenty of time to talk about Christmas. For now, let’s look back on November, which was an insanely busy but good month for Team Taylor.

1. Even though I’m naturally a plan-in-advance multi-tasker, sometimes life requires one thing at a time.

Our calendar has been jam-packed since we had our alma mater’s Homecoming, which involved out-of-town friends coming into our town. There was our church’s fall party at our house, a new volunteer opportunity before church one Sunday, our church’s annual shoe box packing party with more organization than ever before, hosting more dear out-of-town friends for our eighth annual Thanksgiving with friends, Ben’s birthday party that was supposed to be a bonfire but got turned into a flashlight tag party that ended up getting rained out and moved to Gatti’s Pizza, and our much-anticipated Disney cruise. Plus there’s ordinary home and school life and socializing with friends, many of whom are in transitions of their own. Usually I have much more Christmas shopping in the bags and a year-in-review letter ready to mail.

But at this point I’m glad to have survived and enjoyed November.

2. Likewise, sometimes plans change.

Now that we live in the country with wide-open spaces, I planned a bonfire for my boy’s 7th birthday party quite some time ago. Easy and fun: Hot dogs, s’mores, and some flashlights as party favors. But there was a burn ban because it barely rained in who knows how long. (It has since rained plenty …)

Okay, amend party plans: flashlight tag, hot dogs on grill, and s’mores bars and cookies. Then there was a 90% chance of rain during the party time. When you’ve got almost 20 kids coming over, you need better odds. Or a better plan. We are talking about a boy party, so it’s not like I could go to the craft cabinet and full out some activities for everyone to sit around the table and do – at least not for my boy. And that’s okay.

But I needed a new party plan. I reminded myself what mattered. My boy loves people and parties. He was excited about the possibility of playing games at a local pizza restaurant when my husband mentioned that the morning before the party. I dismissed it, like I have a bad habit of doing, and then a couple hours later thought better of it. So I called and reserved us some tables and then texted the new plan to people.

Disregard the cute invitations I sent. Forget the cute themed desserts I had planned. Cue the store-bought cookie cake I just bought for my boy who doesn’t actually like cake.
I realized this change in plans was like coming up for air and letting go. And we still celebrated our boy who is always up for adventure.

3. Disney does hospitality so well down to every last detail – and we loved our Thanksgiving cruise to the Bahamas aboard the Disney Dream.

I’m working on posts about this, but for now let’s go with: We loved it. We are likely to go again sometime. And while I’ve heard others say a cruise trumps a trip to Walt Disney World, I’m going on record with this: They’re different kinds of trips, although certainly worth experiencing.

{Let me know what else you want to know about cruise and I’ll try to include it in the forthcoming posts!}

4. A cell phone and social media break for the four days we were on the cruise ship was exactly what I didn’t know I needed.

I signed up for Facebook in September 2007, and I don’t think there’s been a day I haven’t at least briefly scrolled through my news feed. I love it because I love connecting with people and sharing information, but Facebook – and social media and society – have been so loud lately. I had brief and very limited WiFi and responded to a couple texts and emails regarding my lake house management job, but otherwise I only used my iPhone as a camera and for the on-board cruise app that worked on free WiFi.

5. The Summer Infant 3Dlite Convenience Stroller was an excellent purchase.

I’ve been hauling around a jogging stroller that I bought used last year and am so glad to have a smaller option. We sure did break it on our cruise to the Bahamas.

6. I’ve enjoyed catching up with Olivia Pope and company recently.

When she was kidnapped a couple seasons ago, I got annoyed and stopped watching. (It wasn’t the actual kidnapping that bothered me as much as how the story lines seemed to be stalling.) Absence must have made my TV-watching heart grow fonder of Olivia, Fitz, and their friends (and enemies) because I’m not annoyed with them now. Except I sort of am with Fitz & Olivia, but not in a way that makes me want to stop watching.

7. The new “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life” is good – although not great.

Too often sequels and reboots seem like after thoughts. This one really does seem like we’re catching up with TV friends, which in this case means enduring some nonsense (hello, musical) and slow moments of not understanding why a well-educated Rory hasn’t matured as much as those around her.

How was your November? What are you thankful you learned?

*****

Be sure to check out the Bible journaling kit review Cate, 9, shared on the blog earlier this week. Plus you’ve go through Friday, Dec. 2 to enter to win a Bible journaling kit of your own!

*****