Greetings! Today, and each month going forward, I'm documenting how I spent my month in just one sentence per day.
November In A Sentence A Month
1. Awesome, but challenging six mile fast paced hike in Laguna with my Thursday group, plus got my teeth cleaned.
2. Did laundry and cleaned the house from top to bottom, then got a bit dressed up for Happy Hour dinner at the harbor with hubby, followed by seeing the British farce Noises Off performed by some uber-talented students at Saddleback College.
3. An enjoyable training session at the cultural center I will now be volunteering for, a fantastic run/walk along the beach, then off to meet up with my daughter and her SO for Bourbon barrel-aged beer tasting at The Breury, followed by a fun, fun, fun get together with my longtime running buddies for dinner.
4. Thank you time change for finally getting me back into a normal sleeping pattern, plus lunch at Houston's in Pasadena with my oldest daughter and my mother, first time seeing the later in six years (yes, there's a story there).
5. Monday hill hike with hubby, coffee at Starbucks together afterward, afternoon Spanish class, then a robust evening book club with our spiritual congregation debating the merits (or not!) of the universal base income championed in the nonfictional Give People Money by Annie Lowrey.
6. Volunteer training at the cultural center I'm newly signed up with, then a wonderful night out with my workplace bestie and her hubby at Mizu Sushi Bar in Tustin laughing, reminiscing, and excitedly discussing their plans to retire, sell their New Jersey primary home, and hit the road in early 2020.
7. A 'normal' Wednesday doing menu planning, grocery shopping, laundry, yardwork, and general household chores.
8. Early morning hike in Laguna Canyon, home for a quick clean up, then over to the harbor to do my first solo volunteer shift there as a tidepool docent . . . talking with visitors about our local tidepool critters was fabulous fun!
9. A yoga and lunch date with a new friend, then an evening out with hubbie attending a Pacific Symphony Pops Concert enjoying selections from all things Oz . . .Wicked, The Wiz and The Wizard of Oz.
10. Morning beach walk with my Saturday group, then home to bake myself silly making these pecan bars for a wine tasting dinner event later in the day, where my dessert took first place honors!
11. Celebrated hubby's delayed birthday gift . . . tickets to see a tribute to Simon and Garfunkel at beautiful SOKA University, followed by dinner at, sadly, the very mediocre Avila's El Ranchito . . . sigh, take them off my list of new Mexican dining possibilities!
12. Long hike along the sand with hubby in San Clemente, then a walk back through town to try out a new lunch spot, The Bagel Shack . . . delicious!
13. Balcony glass panel brackets finally going in!
14. We snuck out onto the balcony in the PM to enjoy the sunset, even though the glass remains to be installed, meaning we felt a tad conspicuous!
15. Thursday morning hike in Laguna, hoping the pain in my right leg didn't mean I was looking at more rehab in my future, oof!
16. Morning racewalk, worked a volunteer shift as a greeter at the harbor, then attended a lovely and scenic evening out at Casa Romantica in San Clemente for members night sunset viewing.
17. Morning beach walk with my Saturday group, chores at home, then off to a super casual, but fun, night out in Old Town Orange with our best dining buddies enjoying fried chicken at the excellent new fast casual eatery Buttermilk Chicken, and liquid nitrogen ice cream at the also excellent A La Minute just up the street . . . we split a cup of strawberry ice cream topped with a balsamic glaze, yum!
18. Our usual Sunday routines in the AM, then packed for our trip to Texas.
19. Super smooth flight into Dallas, where we picked up our rental car and drove the 160 miles to my dad's home, arriving just in time to enjoy dinner out with him, plus a group of his friends, enjoying fried fried chicken . . . no, that wasn't a typo!
20. A two hour drive to a little rinky-dink gas station restaurant in nearby Lousiana, serving, according to my dad, the biggest piece of breakfast ham we'd ever encounter, a stop at a bayou on the way back, then a visit to cute, touristy Jefferson for 5 cent coffee (Dad) and not-5-cent coffee (me) . . . I have my limits!
21. A five mile hike through my dad's town along a newly opened walking path, then a first for my dad, craft beer tasting . . . in spite of himself he liked it!
22. Happy Thanksgiving to those of us in the USA!
23. Heading out for the long drive back to Dallas, easy check in at almost empty airport - the morning after Thanksgiving is, apparently, a great day to fly - followed by another nicely smooth flight back home.
24. Morning walk with my Saturday group, grocery shopping to restock the cupboards (the only reason I'd brave the crowds in the market on a weekend!), plus unpacked and did laundry.
25. Our usual Sunday morning spiritual routines, plus entertained friends for a delicious, but quick dinner of Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa lemon marinated chicken and satay, rice, and a cucumber salad, before heading out together to a lecture on the wines of France, including, of course, lots of tastings to go along!
26. Enjoyed working in the yard today under sunny skies . . . I basically walk around with a paperbag and weed trowel, picking up leaves and the random weed, plus made a wonderful pot of sweet potato, pork and cumin soup for dinner.
27. Back to our old town for his-and-her haircuts, plus a visit with my sister-in-law that remained behind when we moved . . . so far she's doing just fine on her own in her senior apartment complex, fingers crossed it remains that way!
28. Laundry, menu planning, grocery shopping, and most exciting of all, finally finished my daughter's birthday gift needlepoint project and dropped it off at Hobby Lobby for framing!
29. Happy Birthday to my youngest daughter, and I hope you enjoy this little add-on gift from Animal Rescue Site, understanding that your heart is enormous when it comes to our little four legged critters.
30. Rain . . . exciting because it's such a rare event here in S. California, and just the excuse we needed to spend the day reading by the fireplace.
1. Awesome, but challenging six mile fast paced hike in Laguna with my Thursday group, plus got my teeth cleaned.
2. Did laundry and cleaned the house from top to bottom, then got a bit dressed up for Happy Hour dinner at the harbor with hubby, followed by seeing the British farce Noises Off performed by some uber-talented students at Saddleback College.
 |
| It was a gorgeous evening to be outside enjoying wine and small bites. |
3. An enjoyable training session at the cultural center I will now be volunteering for, a fantastic run/walk along the beach, then off to meet up with my daughter and her SO for Bourbon barrel-aged beer tasting at The Breury, followed by a fun, fun, fun get together with my longtime running buddies for dinner.
 |
| It felt like summer! |
 |
| Bourbon barrel-aged beer, you had me at 'Hello!' |
 |
| Attempting to show my running buds how my face would improve with some tightening, ha! |
4. Thank you time change for finally getting me back into a normal sleeping pattern, plus lunch at Houston's in Pasadena with my oldest daughter and my mother, first time seeing the later in six years (yes, there's a story there).
5. Monday hill hike with hubby, coffee at Starbucks together afterward, afternoon Spanish class, then a robust evening book club with our spiritual congregation debating the merits (or not!) of the universal base income championed in the nonfictional Give People Money by Annie Lowrey.
6. Volunteer training at the cultural center I'm newly signed up with, then a wonderful night out with my workplace bestie and her hubby at Mizu Sushi Bar in Tustin laughing, reminiscing, and excitedly discussing their plans to retire, sell their New Jersey primary home, and hit the road in early 2020.
7. A 'normal' Wednesday doing menu planning, grocery shopping, laundry, yardwork, and general household chores.
8. Early morning hike in Laguna Canyon, home for a quick clean up, then over to the harbor to do my first solo volunteer shift there as a tidepool docent . . . talking with visitors about our local tidepool critters was fabulous fun!
 |
| There are wondrous critters hidden in there! |
9. A yoga and lunch date with a new friend, then an evening out with hubbie attending a Pacific Symphony Pops Concert enjoying selections from all things Oz . . .Wicked, The Wiz and The Wizard of Oz.
10. Morning beach walk with my Saturday group, then home to bake myself silly making these pecan bars for a wine tasting dinner event later in the day, where my dessert took first place honors!
 |
| So much butter! |
 |
| So much yum as a result! |
11. Celebrated hubby's delayed birthday gift . . . tickets to see a tribute to Simon and Garfunkel at beautiful SOKA University, followed by dinner at, sadly, the very mediocre Avila's El Ranchito . . . sigh, take them off my list of new Mexican dining possibilities!
12. Long hike along the sand with hubby in San Clemente, then a walk back through town to try out a new lunch spot, The Bagel Shack . . . delicious!
 |
| It was scenic and fun walking under the pier, something we'd not done before. |
13. Balcony glass panel brackets finally going in!
14. We snuck out onto the balcony in the PM to enjoy the sunset, even though the glass remains to be installed, meaning we felt a tad conspicuous!
 |
| Sunset, I missed you! |
15. Thursday morning hike in Laguna, hoping the pain in my right leg didn't mean I was looking at more rehab in my future, oof!
16. Morning racewalk, worked a volunteer shift as a greeter at the harbor, then attended a lovely and scenic evening out at Casa Romantica in San Clemente for members night sunset viewing.
 |
| Loved the quiet ambiance at our first members night. |
 |
| Views to die for out on the Casa's bluff top patio area. |
17. Morning beach walk with my Saturday group, chores at home, then off to a super casual, but fun, night out in Old Town Orange with our best dining buddies enjoying fried chicken at the excellent new fast casual eatery Buttermilk Chicken, and liquid nitrogen ice cream at the also excellent A La Minute just up the street . . . we split a cup of strawberry ice cream topped with a balsamic glaze, yum!
18. Our usual Sunday routines in the AM, then packed for our trip to Texas.
19. Super smooth flight into Dallas, where we picked up our rental car and drove the 160 miles to my dad's home, arriving just in time to enjoy dinner out with him, plus a group of his friends, enjoying fried fried chicken . . . no, that wasn't a typo!
20. A two hour drive to a little rinky-dink gas station restaurant in nearby Lousiana, serving, according to my dad, the biggest piece of breakfast ham we'd ever encounter, a stop at a bayou on the way back, then a visit to cute, touristy Jefferson for 5 cent coffee (Dad) and not-5-cent coffee (me) . . . I have my limits!
 |
| It was a beautiful day to be outside! |
21. A five mile hike through my dad's town along a newly opened walking path, then a first for my dad, craft beer tasting . . . in spite of himself he liked it!
22. Happy Thanksgiving to those of us in the USA!
23. Heading out for the long drive back to Dallas, easy check in at almost empty airport - the morning after Thanksgiving is, apparently, a great day to fly - followed by another nicely smooth flight back home.
24. Morning walk with my Saturday group, grocery shopping to restock the cupboards (the only reason I'd brave the crowds in the market on a weekend!), plus unpacked and did laundry.
25. Our usual Sunday morning spiritual routines, plus entertained friends for a delicious, but quick dinner of Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa lemon marinated chicken and satay, rice, and a cucumber salad, before heading out together to a lecture on the wines of France, including, of course, lots of tastings to go along!
26. Enjoyed working in the yard today under sunny skies . . . I basically walk around with a paperbag and weed trowel, picking up leaves and the random weed, plus made a wonderful pot of sweet potato, pork and cumin soup for dinner.
27. Back to our old town for his-and-her haircuts, plus a visit with my sister-in-law that remained behind when we moved . . . so far she's doing just fine on her own in her senior apartment complex, fingers crossed it remains that way!
28. Laundry, menu planning, grocery shopping, and most exciting of all, finally finished my daughter's birthday gift needlepoint project and dropped it off at Hobby Lobby for framing!
 |
| Found an off-the-shelf deep black shadow box to accommodate the fluffy pompoms, beadwork and fringe, then left it with Hobby Lobby to be stretched and matted in white. |
29. Happy Birthday to my youngest daughter, and I hope you enjoy this little add-on gift from Animal Rescue Site, understanding that your heart is enormous when it comes to our little four legged critters.
30. Rain . . . exciting because it's such a rare event here in S. California, and just the excuse we needed to spend the day reading by the fireplace.
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And so went the month of November! How did your month go? Please share your highlights (or lowlights!) below.
Looks like you had a very nice November, Tamara. Ocean views and blue skies are irresistible. Your daughters got to love your gifts for them, both have cheerful colours, and the needlepoint project is a lot of mommy's love. Hope your December is filled with joyful moments.
ReplyDeleteMy youngest daughter is a bit less forthcoming with her feelings than my oldest daughter, however I once overheard her ribbing her husband about what a thoughtful gift looks like, pointing to something I'd just given her to illustrate. So there's that at least!
DeleteHappy Holiday season to you too, Natalie. 🎄
I always enjoy these sentence a day posts, your month sounds like it was busy and fun with lots of variety. Have fun in December!
ReplyDeleteI try hard Debbie! Sometimes I fall short, but that's ok also, as long as pick myself up and try again. 😊
DeleteSo I have to ask...was the ham worth the 2 hour drive?? That sounds like something my hubby would do.
ReplyDeleteAnd those sunsets are amazing!!
XOOX
Jodie
www.jtouchofstyle.com
Not for me, not for me, Jodie. However, it was clearly a big deal for my dad, so I happily went along. My hubby and I shared one meal and it was more than enough, though!
DeleteI'm amazed at the social events you attend/host. I tend to have social commitments weekly vs daily, i.e. dinner at friends, pizza with friends before the monthly whist drive, the monthly game afternoon with friends, lunch & scrabble with a friend, the Carole King musical with my cousin, Tom Jackson's Huron Carole with my son/granddaughters (the last 2 involving nights away from home), local dinner theatre with cousins, hosting the last Home Routes concert in 2018. The regular community association meeting resulted in planning a crib tournament after a discussion about creating community. If only the ideas generated become a reality. The month was also filled with food prep & shopping for my aged mother. It's highly unlikely that she will leave her home this winter, let alone drive anywhere herself. I accompanied a friend to a medical appointment 2 hrs away. While waiting in the hospital, I met a friend who's recovering from a lung transplant. I'm reminded how precious my health is. It allows me to enjoy nature while walking, shovelling snow, packing wood, yoga. Christmas preparations began in Nov. half the fun is in the planning & preparation. On a personal level (in addition to the walking, reading, meditation, yoga) I attended a caregivers' support group. I don't want it to be just a venting session. I want to be positive as I can about this new role of supporting my aged mother. I want to learn from the support group. As always, life is full.
ReplyDeleteOur routine in retirement is a bit interesting to me, compared to when we were both employed. When employed we pretty much stayed in all week, to tired to go out, and 'partied' on just Friday and Saturday nights, then close to home on Sunday to prepare for the next week of work.
DeleteIn retirement, by contrast, we are usually out and about in the late morning/early afternoon, home in the late afternoon to rest, then sufficiently recharged to head out again in the evenings. I can't go all day, everyday, but as long as I have a couple of hours to recharge I'm good. Plus, we worked so hard to get here, I want to continue to enjoy all there now is to do.
I appreciate your comments about helping your aging mother while working to accept, rather than fight, the impact to your life it is and will have. I still have this in my future with regard to both of my parents, and hope I will approach it with the same attitude that you appear to have. It's a tough time of life for all concerned.
You are one busy bee, love how much you love your new home out here. Yay for meeting up with your mom, seemed like it was a good thing. Also your dad is so cute, what a fun trip!
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah! I was in your neck of the woods just yesterday, and thought of you. 😊
DeleteAnd I do love it here!!!