So Far, So Good

This week started well.  Yesterday was the FIRST day (in over a year) that this girlfriend didn't cancel or change the time.  Good conversation.  The weather warmed nicely and it all felt extra good for some reason.

I ran a couple of errands and home for an early (as usual) PJ time in my new Christmas flannels from The Loft.  They're lightweight and oversized.  I got the large and they shrunk just a bit in the dryer.  Maybe a medium would fit better, but I'm fine with baggy.  I wanted something for Christmas in Asheville that had good coverage to be around everyone.  Too warm to sleep in, but they are great for lounging.

This morning because I forgot to take
a picture yesterday. 

Spent the late afternoon chatting with another bestie (college roommate) and that was another good conversation.  Yesterday's theme was definitely connection and I'm focusing on that for the week.

Since I am was a bit nervous for tonight, I decided to message the host and ask the questions that were making me feel uncertain.  All set now.  I have my outfit picked out for a mostly outdoor evening, mask for inside and, if I get parked-in, more time with Jen Hatmaker lol.  I'm not sure I'll get a picture with Jen since it's night and dark outside, but I'll take other pictures.

I have no idea what food is being served, but I'm planning to eat something to tide me over incase it's stuff that I can't eat -- pasta, cream, etc.  Since there was nothing specified about the food, I'm hoping for a range that covers all the usual suspects of food issues and then I'll be fine.  I'm not going for the food so that doesn't concern me.  

My neck is still improving.  I started taking some 60 minute Peloton classes gearing up for a 5 mile run goal on the 21 for 2021 list.  I need to build a bit of endurance, but I can't run frequently enough to do that this late in the game.  The 5 mile run is a one-and-done so a bit of extra cardio should work fine for a solo run.  I planned on this for Thanksgiving week, but given the neck issue, I might need to push it back to December.  I still have another week to see how it feels.  Running arm position bothers it a lot.

I have a draft list of the 22 for 2022 list -- coming soon in December or January.  Also a recap of 21 for 2021 -- the good, bad, finished and unfinished.  The end of the year is approaching at lightening speed.

I'm still "decorated" for Thanksgiving.  Early Christmas decorating doesn't interest me because I think I'd get bored with the Christmas stuff up too long.  Take each holiday for what it is and patience for the feel-goods of Christmas.  A few years ago, I started Christmas music in early November and was sick of it by Christmas week.  Learned that lesson.

That said, I started burning a pine candle I got while shopping with my aunt.  It's so good -- burns well and the scent is amazing.  So good in fact, that I want to go back and get some other candles.  I have a bunch of cheap candles that only scent the space AT the candle.  This smells up a couple of rooms.   I'll pay attention to the brand this time.

Here's the candle AND the next book I'm reading.  It's long and I've had it too long on my shelf.  Time to get it read.  I'm only about 100 pages in and it's good so far.  Epic sweeping novel that jumps present to early 1900s.

Fingers crossed for an interesting and fun night tonight.  This feels like a gathering-with-intention.  Taking a page from Priya Parker's book, The Art of Gathering.  Stay well (me too tonight).  Later gators.