Reclaiming November

      November used to be a good month with my sister, my mom's, and my birthday. Plus, Thanksgiving is fourth Thursday. There were lunches and shopping trips and hanging out at my parents house. With my mom's death the day after her birthday in 2010, then my sister's unexpected death the day before her birthday in 2013, the month has felt cold, bleak, devoid of color for over a decade. In my pretending state, trying to push myself to find the good again and maybe some joy, I'm pushing myself to reclaim November. 

     I'm still breathing and have a birthday ahead of me plus the Thanksgiving weekend will be filled with my kids, their pets staying with me, and seeing extended family and friends. One of my friends since young childhood, also sadly a widow at too young an age, does a daily Thankfulness post in November. I'm not to that stage yet, but I'll read her reflections with hope. My list to reclaiming the month is shorter, but with promise that these too fulfill hope. 

Bookclub get-togethers: I have two, with my sister's and with a moms group. November is a good month to cozy up with unfamiliar words with probably an unfamiliar author, then chat with others on what we liked and what perhaps challenged us. I'm hosting one of the bookclubs so incentive to really clean and feel good in my home. Leading to...

Fall deep clean: Everyone focuses on spring cleaning, but November is a bit of lull before decorations are hauled out of storage, and spare counters, fridge and freezer space is taken up with any Christmas preparations. The pets and people I share space with leave a wake of extra clutter. Feeling like I've tackled the mess visible and hidden but there, will make my interior brighter even while outside it's gray.

Go to a movie in a theater, complete with popcorn:  I haven't been to a movie since June. I have no idea if anything is playing I want to see, but hoping that the old time theater near my daughter's house hosts at least one movie of interest. 

Resuming trivia: Really, I'd like to get back more regularly as winter approaches, but getting a start this month is progress. (I actually attended 10/30, so got a jump start.)

Have lunch out with old colleague: I have this scheduled for November 12th. It's important to me to stay connected as I move to retirement with the people I worked with that became friends. 

Get porch lights and greenery out before snow comes: I just do simple lights on my porch railing only, so not a huge job, but it'll be nice to turn them on the night of Thanksgiving to start the Christmas season. 

Make donations before December: Giving in November before the rush of December and the spending that comes with it ensures I'm fulfilling my personally declared obligations. It's an opportunity to truly appreciate that while we're not rich, we do not want for needs. 

      That's my November list to enjoy some good things. If not totally reclaimed, it shouldn't be without seeing a bit of happy. In another post , I talk about life admin tasks/ house tasks that must get done. Those don't take away from the month, but rather aid in my sense of satisfaction.

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