Ahead of Schedule (Shhhhh)

So far, I'm ahead of the holiday schedule.  Gifts are WRAPPED -- what?!?  Super early for me.  I have some in Asheville I need to wrap when I go back, but I'm glad to have most off my plate.  I say this quietly because no jinx, no whammies.  

The next few days took a busier turn.  I have a LONG car appointment today and then a pick up for a vintage chair (more on this tomorrow).  Monti has a vet appointment first thing tomorrow -- poor boy has some respiratory crud.  Baking cookies.  Holiday concert.  Kids for Sunday football.  Now a "nothing" weekend is not nothing. 

My stats are showing monthly is on the way (and I think I'm getting a cold sore, ugh).  This is making the weekend feel like EFFORT.  And this RAIN!  My lord, all week and still going.  Muggy, foggy, and quite miserable -- fits my physical state lol.

Started Christmas rock painting.  A little sloppy, but it's good enough.  I have a few more ideas I got off the internet.  I like to make a holiday collections to leave out.

Speaking of Christmas -- looks like Etsy favors are going to arrive in time for holiday cheer giving.  I'm excited about this idea.

I'm reading a scary book which I'll probably finish today at the car appointment.  I'm waiting to write about it until I finish it (plus I forget the name -- book is in the bedroom and hubby is sleeping).  So far, it's one of the best scary (suspense) books I've read in a long time.  Stay tuned ... suspense for the suspense book.  Will the ending hold??

Happy Friday.  Hope you are well and dry.  Later gators.

Okay, I'm Stressed

I'm finally acknowledging I have STRESS right now.  I keep trying to ignore it, but it's catching up to me in the form of night buffering (snacking).

I won't go into too much detail, but here's what's weighing on my mind.

(1) My mother -- she has me in her crosshairs.

(2) Best friend -- still having problems with the feel of a one sided relationship (2 years of it since January).  I got coaching on this relationship yesterday and it was helpful.  And, yep, it's all about me, the story I tell and the actions I take from that story.  P.S.  The coach was tough on me and it was good -- I almost cried.

(3) Election -- the state of of government, dumb-asses who have no business in government, down-right evil people getting elected.  Thankfully, GA showed up again (particularly the cities).  That stress can defer for a minute again.

(4) Hubby wants to retire.  And/or he thinks they are going to let him go because they are realizing they hired his position a couple of years too early.  UGH.  This is a big mountain of worry -- lots more than money concerns.

(5) My sister got a pacemaker yesterday.  She's home and feeling okay.

Of course, worry serves no real purpose.  I'll take what actions I need to take and move forward.  I also think hormones are at play, but this is turning out to be a longer cycle.  I'd been cycling shorter for the last couple of months.  My body temp is still low so I think I'm a ways away.

Anyway ...

I painted the shells from Hilton Head yesterday.  Cute-ish.  I found some cute ideas for Christmas rocks too.  Painting the rocks is really relaxing.  Almost like a meditation.  I want a stash to leave on December walks.

Cleaning crew here this morning so I'm going to run a couple of errands.  Alcohol for Christmas cocktails, mail holiday packages and whatever else to kill time.

I decided on holiday neighbor favors.  (I gift my 2 GA next-door neighbors, but I need little somethings for other people here and in Asheville.)  Hopefully, it comes in time (Etsy).  I got wildflower, bee friendly seed packets with a custom message (Hap-BEE New Year) and brown bags with evergreen trees.  I need both to come before we leave for Asheville.  Fingers crossed since the seeds need to be printed.

I didn't want to do the usual food items that often get thrown away in the gluttony of the holidays.  This was a FS idea and I'm excited about it. 

I have a call scheduled with an old friend this afternoon.  Maybe I'll start a little present wrapping while we catch up.  Usually, it's a long call.

Mid-week already.  Still raining here!  Have a good one.  Later gators.

Massage Bliss

It's been a year since my last massage and it was relaxing and perfect.  My back feels great after the massage -- better than it's felt in a few months.  Lunch was good -- vegan and GF.  We had a long catch up conversation too.  All in all, a good day (despite my mood).

It poured all day and it's STILL raining today.  We need the water, but this is a wash of a week.

I have to vote on Election Day this time -- first time at my voting precinct.  Early voting lines were hours long.  I wonder what today will bring.  GA seems to always have a runoff election.  Lines in the cold rain.  Eeek.

UPDATE: Threw on some clothes, drove in the dark (and rain) and VOTED.  Took about 20 minutes.  Glad to have it done and dusted.

I need to vote early because I have an 11:30 coaching call and a 2:30 vet appointment for Monti.  

Coaching question is going to be about relationships.  How I can show up when things are prickly in a way that supports me too.  It's tricky.  Curious if coaching helps.  I'm starting to think about leaving SCS because the coaching calls have become very business related.  Brooke used to ask business questions be taken to the business calls, but since her new "make more money" thing is to encourage people to take certification from her program, she's allowing business questions on any call.  If the 40 minute coaching sessions aren't helpful then it's getting harder to justify the program expense.  

Still figuring out how much more to decorate this year.  I need to put away the bins for the cleaning crew tomorrow, so I'll decide today.  I like a simple year given my schedule and the fact we're having Christmas in Asheville.  

I'll leave with a me and Duke selfie I took for hubby.  He's so adorable and such a pain hah!  We created a Duke monster.

Begging by squeaking for a treat --
all evening even though he GOT treats.

Have a good Tuesday.  Later gators.

A Little Bit Like Christmas

I finished most of my weekend tasks -- still adding a few more Christmas decorations to the mix though.

Yesterday I made the 7 day chocolate cookie dough.  Dressed to make a mess in a funny t-shirt I found when I cleaned out my closet.  Then I decorated the tree and a few things.  Finished up with a sofa cuddle with my sick little Monti.  Looks like he's starting a respiratory infection (I'll call the vet today).

I bought it during the quarantine for fun.

New Christmas apron

Christmas tea mug out of storage
with new tea from Beaufort

Finished tree with only about
1/4 of the usual ornaments

He cuddles when he doesn't feel well.
Coughed a lot overnight so I
think he's getting sick.

I'm celebrating my friend's birthday with a massage and lunch today.  While that SHOULD feel fun, my mood is a mood AND all day pouring rain to boot (so indoor lunch -- ugh).  This is my first massage since the back injury and I'm a little nervous about it.  I'll tell them to be gentle, but you never know.  Hopefully, this mood doesn't spoil a nice day.

I'll end this here.  My mood is a mood because of some annoying things (mother for one) and it's punctuated by hormones.  I don't think ranting will serve any purpose as much as I want to rant away.  BTW, I have a life coaching call tomorrow so I'll see if that helps my thinking.

Have a good Monday.  Later gators.

I Need a Re-Entry Plan

Oh boy am I zonked.  Trip, drive, lots of people time and hormones.  Came home with no food prepped and fell mouth first into a GF pizza and chocolate hubby got for me.  That did wonders for my energy this morning hah.

Clean up day in all the ways.  I have 2 days to organize, rally and get ready for the next week on this holiday train.  

I need a re-entry plan and I'll write it up as soon as I finish my morning journals.  It's basically a crafted to-do list that sets me up for success without being MASSIVE DO ALL THE THINGS kind of list.  What MUST get done to be ready for life moving forward.  It includes food, workouts, meditation -- things for me to feel well.  And it's chores, errands, written calendar for the week.  

I'm glad I have 2 days because the list is bigger than a normal re-entry list.

But first espresso in a mug my aunt gifted me from Estonia.  Hope you have a great weekend ahead.  Later gators.

P.S.  Cool bird pictures and sunrise from the walk yesterday morning.  I wish I was waking up to this walk today.  It's cold and rainy in ATL. 

Savannah

Started the day at the beach -- COLD and windy.  Interesting how different the beach was walking a couple of hours earlier than Tuesday.  Big tidal pools crossed most of the beach.  It was in the 60s when we walked Tuesday.  Thursday was in the 40s and it was relatively miserable hahaha.  No "polar" plunge for me because it was too cold (yep, I see the irony).

Tidal pool we crossed to get to the ocean.
Instantly cold, wet feet -- mistake.

Shadow me

Funny sign that wasn't meant to be funny

After we warmed up with coffee and a shower, we took the hour drive back to GA for a Savannah visit.  The Christmas Market was a bust, but the rest of the day was awesome.

Savannah is a beautiful city.  JW Marriott on River Walk.

Dumb luck got us to one of the most popular restaurants in the area.  We got seated next to a table who live in Savannah part of the year.  We got tips on shopping and had a nice conversation.  Lots of local shops, beautiful squares, pralines at the famous candy store, incredible buildings.  

You have to climb up from the River Walk to get into the heart of the city. 

The sign didn't lie

See you later, Savannah.

Believe it or not, we ended the day at a holiday market in HH because why should shopping ever end lol?!?!  Local artists, Christmas singing group, decorations.  We also got to see our last sunset over the water.  Colors have been showing up.

I think this last day broke my aunt (!!)  She's a bit of an achy back, foot, knee mess so we are foregoing the beach this morning.  I'll take an easy walk along the golf course and we'll get packing up.  Trying to avoid rush hour in Atlanta.

First I need to consolidate this monstrosity.  

Looks more than it is, but ... STILL!!
This is a record for me.
Lots of Christmas gifts in the mix.

HH did not disappoint.  It's been a week!  Time to come home though -- we're both ready.  There's nothing left in our tanks.  My intention for the trip -- connection and laughs.  Both in spades.  

Later gators.

Got Wet, Got Tired, Got Broke

Yesterday morning was perfect weather (before storms).  I ran a bike path that runs along a golf course.  I finished up just as my aunt was coming around the corner -- walked to coffee at the local coffee house again.

Left my mark -- Happy Rock

Golf course

Quiet path in the early morning

Early on the road to Beaufort, SC to visit my aunt, uncle and cousin.  The ladies went out for the day, but the carriage historic tour was cancelled because of rain.  So that left SHOPPING -- hours and hours!  Got wet, got tired, got broke hahaha.

We did take a break for a leisurely lunch, but it was a spending extravaganza kind of day.  People passing us on the street commented on the number of bags -- eek.  I got a lot of Christmas shopping finished and goodies for myself (pictures coming).

Cute idea on the lunch tables.
Different glasses -- rocks, moss, dirt.
Also pictured -- my new bracelets :)

Aunties

Cousins

Bag ladies -- not all bags pictured.
So many stacked beside the bench.

We learned from the night before and made a Publix stop on the way home for better dinner options.  Unpacked, jammies on, dinner snacks and an early bed.  

Today we head to Savannah.  Not sure what the early morning holds -- cold snap overnight.  I'd like to go to the beach if it seems pleasant enough.  If not, I'll walk the bike path again.  For sure hitting the beach Friday morning before we leave.

I'm having a great trip, but hitting a wall for shopping.  I haven't been to Savannah in years so I'm looking forward to seeing the city.  We're shopping a Christmas market and I expect a much lower key shopping day.  Other than looking for a couple of things for the Asheville house, my Christmas decor is scaling back --- SO NO BUYING lol.  The best part will mean not lugging bag after bag -- my arms are rookies compared to my aunt's.  That gal can SHOP!

Hope you're having a great week.  Later gators.