You have been quite the month. There has been some really awesome moments this month and I think I needed to see these things happen to keep the hope that good things still happen.
We are still in quarantine (Hi Month 8!) somehow with no end in sight. I try every day to focus on the good that is coming from all of this and what I can a actually control. Being able to work from an office is a privilege that I do not take for granted at all. I pray all the time that there is a light at the end of this very long tunnel. I still feel like when I went to bed on March 13 in one world and woke up in an alternate reality on March 14th.
Speaking of the the 13th, you realize the last normal day we had was Friday the 13th in March right? We just recently had another Friday the 13th in November and as the date approached, I just about held my breath. I had a crazy idea that maybe everything would be reversed and we would return things back to normal but it ended up being a super boring, new type of normal day, which was totally fine in my book.
On a super exciting note, earlier this month I reached a savings goal of mine. I have been working towards this goal for about 14 months and I was able to reach it 6ish weeks early. This allows me to now move on to my next savings goal. I am hoping to be able to reach the next goal within the next year or so. This made me so happy- it has been a long road to get to this point.
Another positive note in November, it was Adoption month but more specifically Adoption Day was November 19 for Ocean County. While this year's celebrations looked a little different than past years, it was such a fun afternoon. There was a beautiful speech from a resource parent talking about her experience over that past 25 years and there was also a slideshow of photos of the adopting families. Despite all of the craziness of this year, this was the absolute very perfect way to have Adoption Day.
My family and I started to think about our Christmas card photos earlier this month and we contacted a local photographer who took our photos last week. We got the online gallery this past weekend and I was blown away how beautiful they ended up. We took them about an hour before sunset (golden hour) at a local lake in my town. I will be sharing our Christmas card on Christmas and some other photos next month. If you are local (New Jersey), message me if you want the name of the photographer. You can see one of the photos at the top of this post.
While this month at work was pretty busy with the normal craziness, I was surprised by the sheer productiveness I had. There were a few bigger projects and a lot of smaller projects that needed to be tackled. Along with my projects, I was witnessing construction from my office to expand the offices next door (into the room where I am) to make it more COVID compliant. The contractors have all been awesome and I have learned a whole lot of construction jargon and how to take down a wall and build a wall. Its been interesting to watch. I can always count on my office to give me the some form of entertainment.
Thanksgiving was quiet and easy- just the way I like to spend it. We ate a lot, laughed a lot and spent more family time together. That is one blessing I am so thankful for- spending so much family time together. On the day after Thanksgiving, we decorated the outside and let me tell you, I felt like a kid again. The joy of Christmas never leaves you and I am so very thankful for that. I was excited to see everything lit up that night; it was beautiful. We were one of the last ones to decorate in the neighborhood, which I thought was funny but I guess our neighbors thought everyone needed some early Christmas joy.
I haven't been one to really online shop during this whole mess; only really buying the essentials for the house. One BIG thing that has been on my list to purchase is an inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard. I tried to buy one in the Summer and they were all sold out-I guess everyone had the same idea that I did. After finding out Body Glove was having a super sale before Black Friday/Cyber Week, I went back and forth about buying it and after a few days I decided to buy it. The price was just TOO good to pass up. I am SO excited for it to come AND for the warmer weather to come. There are so many spots to paddle near me that I currently have a checklist to make sure I get to them all. I also took advantage of the Cyber weekend and bought myself a life vest for when I am on the river. Merry Christmas to me!
Lastly, I have always been one to help and lately I have been having this unexplained pull to do something. Now I don't know exactly what that is but I am going to continue to explore it. I haven't felt a pull this strong in a few years. There are a few things that have popped up on social media that seem interesting but I would like to do more research on to see if they are in line with what I am exactly looking for. I don't know what I am exactly looking for but I think I will know when I see/read it. Has that ever happened to you?
Well November, you were quite the month. December I am very excited to see what you have in store for me and everyone else. I am looking forward on reflecting on this year and setting new intentions for next year.
Love, gabrielle.
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How was your month? Anything exciting or fun happen? Are you looking forward to anything in December? Let me know in the comments below.
I cannot wait to share all the fun content I have planned for next month with you. Be safe and stay healthy.
[[When things change inside you, things change around you]]
-gabrielle
