realizing | I’m bummed that I can only squeeze three workouts a week into my schedule right now, but it is literally all that I can manage. I was working on my workout schedule this morning and realized that this month is going to be pure torture when it comes to surviving the gym. Apparently November is “row-vember” at my gym and rowing is my least favorite thing to do in the world. I better have some serious leg definition, come December.
stirring | Can we all say a collective amen that it is finally soup season? I was never a big soup eater until I started eating paleo, but since then I’ve tried to embrace the idea, because it’s so easy. I’m working on my meal plan for the month and our Creole Jambalaya and Potato Soup will be in heavy rotation. I’m also looking forward to trying a few new recipes, and this one looks perfect!
appreciating | We had no plans for any weekend getaways or football excursions this year, but somehow one fell into place. It doesn’t involve an overnight stay, but I’m still very much appreciating that I get to sneak off to Tuscaloosa with Josh on Saturday. We’re still debating whether to go into the game, but just sitting on the quad eating good food and watching way too much football sounds like the perfect day.
investigating | I’m sure we all second guess ourselves when it comes to parenting, but I’ve been doing it a little more than usual these days. Parenting is already hard, but raising tweens is awful (and simultaneously amazing) and having one that is highly gifted just adds a whole level I wasn’t prepared for. I’m investigating some new parenting resources and our teachers have been a huge help to me this month. If you have any book recommendations on giftedness or on highly emotional children, I would be forever grateful.
following | These days, I’m taking a much different approach to Instagram. I’m so tired of overthinking the growth aspect and being open to try all sorts of new things. I’ve found it much easier to connect with other users when I’m following them, so I’m being much more liberal about who I follow. I can’t stand to follow too many people, but I use my general feed to connect with other bloggers and larger accounts and then use Instagram Stories to follow all of my favorites. In case you hadn’t already figured this out, you can mute accounts in your Instagram Stories feed, and focus on the accounts that you love. I’ll admit, this is where I spend the majority of my browsing time in Instagram!
Rather than call this a list of goals, I thought we’d do a little “to do list” each month instead. The word goal makes it sound so lofty and important, and I’m talking more about things I want to accomplish than achieve.
Let’s take a look at how I did in October…
Empty our storage pod: Nope. We did start this project, but there were exactly zero weekends available to finish.
Organize our home. I got a great start on this project and we’re carrying it through to the new year. I cleaned out all cabinets and closets and threw away a ton of stuff we’d been hoarding!
Create a master list of home projects: I didn’t finish this project, but I have started it. Does that count?
Maintain my new daily routine. Yes! I might not be getting up super early every morning, but I have been staying on top off my daily chores and I feel so much better about my life.
Blog on a more regular basis. Also, yes. I’ve even gotten a few weeks out on my November schedule, so I’m not nearly as stressed out about this one.
Actually empty our storage pod. I’m so tired of seeing this thing in our backyard and, once it’s gone, we can move our camper near the fire pit for some backyard adventures.
Decorate for the holidays. Even though we haven’t started our renovation (and likely won’t until January), I’m not going to let that keep me from decorating my house. Who says you have to have furniture to enjoy the holidays?
Welcome Vera Claire! My little sister is having a baby this month and we are all a little crazy excited. They’ve decided to induce labor because of the Thanksgiving holiday, so it looks like my newest niece will arrive on my birthday. I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate.
No Repeat November. I’m not sure how I’ll document it exactly, but I’m trying not to repeat any outfits for the month of November. I’m snapping a photo every day and I’ll plan to show them all in a round up post at the end of the month.
Now let’s get to it — everyone’s favorite monthly recap. Here’s a look at our October recap, by the numbers.
