New Month and Being Home
While I wasn't gone quite the whole month, coming back on a Holiday weekend felt like my trip was stretched. This will be my first December being retired. Though, while away, I received a call or text alert almost every day that substitute teachers were needed. Now, I'll only sub in my home district and prefer to only schedule in advance, but might accept a Tuesday call in when grand pup goes to doggie daycare or a Friday when he's back with my daughter. I'll have to make sure I'm prepared to accept those days the night before as for the middle or highschool I'd need to report by 7:30.
I sort of don't want to commit to anything though. There's so much to do here and really, Christmas is just three and 1/2 weeks away. I've got a fairly full social calendar scheduled and want to be able to get outside with the dogs in daylight, which lets face it, barely lasts 8 hours in December. It's cold, but both dogs love the snow and I've got proper gear.
I made good choices on both my rain coat and rain booties. Though, didn't make a wise choice not wearing the rain boots on the first Saturday in London where I trusted a bad weather report. Feet aside, I stayed fairly dry when it rained, and the coat was the right weight to wear alone, or if colder, layered with a flannel or zip hoodie jacket. I'll be happy to have these for Greece in March and back home for our wet Minnesota springs.
I went to a spruce tip arrangement workshop with the mom friends group, but life intervened so we were minus two. Sadly, one lost her dad the day before Thanksgiving. Services are next week a couple hours away but weather permitting I'll attend. I lost my mom 15 years ago the day before Thanksgiving too and know it was nice to see friends even though a busy time of year.
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| My semi finished arrangement. I have tiny lights to add. I went with the less is more approach. The pot was from a floral arrangement from my husband's funeral. |
Other things on my list this week is meal planning, getting the house cleaned with the plan to decorate lightly next weekend. The house is in chaos but I'm intentionally not scheduling a thing any days this week other than a couple combined errands on Tuesday out of town. I started inventorying gifts already purchased and updating my Christmas prep list. Welcome December.
Oooh, I really like that arrangement. The spruce arrangement workshop sounds both festive & like a low touch way to get together. I have on my bucket list to entertain more, and I need to think of some creative ideas to invite people over, but have it be low key. Something like that might be fun. Although, I'm 100% not crafty, so there's that. ;-) - Hawaii Planner
ReplyDeleteOh, no craft in my veins. This literally was full a pot with dirt and stuck spruce tips, which can be gotten at most garden centers I'd imagine. Then add as much or little as you want. They suggested watering the soil so it freezes/ hardens and keeps the display from shifting and the tips soak a bit of water so stay green longer.. You might need to pack the dirt tighter since you don't freeze.
DeleteI love that you were able to re-use a pot from your hubby's funeral - kinda makes the arrangement that much more special. I love those full circle moments, even if they are hard, sometimes.
ReplyDeleteGina, that is a beautiful observation.
DeleteDecember is crowded for so many of us; I try to remind myself to step out of the bustle and not feel I "have to" do this or that. And, per your admission in replying to the first comment, I too have ZERO craft skills. Never have had.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I like about these pots - literally a pot, dirt, and spruce tips. Green in and if itself is pretty against our MN colors in the winter A couple decorative picks and a bow ( tied by a friend) and voila.
DeleteOh, I like the pot you are using from your dear dh’s funeral. I always felt the need to be ready to sub at a moments notice due to the sub shortage. I could not fully relax unless I knew school was out.
ReplyDeleteI'm subbing on my terms as it's for extra money. I just can't be on someone else's schedule again.
DeleteTotally understandable, Sam.
DeleteBeautiful arrangement, Sam. I totally relate to light decorating. I've scaled things way down since my husband passed away. I've given all my decorations to my kids, who all have their own homes now. I bought a little pink tree for my little granddaughters last year, and I have a Grinch proudly guarding my front door - that about covers it.
ReplyDeleteI'll have a few things that hopefully the cats will leave alone. I live lights and candles so that will be my focus.
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DeleteI love the arrangement. I celebrate the Winter Solstice by bringing in the greenery and bedecking the house and my arrangements are very similar.xxx
ReplyDeleteThe greenery is so pretty on its own. I have some pine cones to maybe add as well.
DeleteIt's nice not to have anything scheduled for a while. While I wouldn't want it to go on forever, sometimes you just need down time too, don't you!
ReplyDeleteMy Friday-Sunday is packed, then next weekend a touch lighter , but not by much. I already feel December flying by.
DeleteI too am not crafty - my niece said I must have been on vacation the summer my mom taught everyone how to sew, lmao! December is already flying by indeed!
ReplyDeleteI can.do.bately anything and my husband's brothers wife looks at a pattern and a full ball gown appears. Who do you think is MILs favorite, lol
DeleteI can understand not wanting to set a bunch of subs days up when you've got so much going on. I get that though. So sorry that your friend had to deal with a death right in the holiday season. And that you lost your mom during one as well. The class though, sounds fun.
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