It's already mid-November. Am I the only one who thinks this month is going by way too fast? Is it because I'm in my 60s now and so busy?? Sometimes I feel busier than when we had the girls living at home and they were in public school! I need to slow down today and reflect on the blessings the past week has brought me. It was a rough one. I won't lie. I'm rather glad it's Friday but now the hectic holiday season begins. I'm already feeling a bit overwhelmed. But finding FIVE of my FAVE blessings from the week helps to keep me grounded. Join in with us and link up your own FFF at Susanne's site where you can find more info.
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| Ann Lee Pond 11 November about 10:30 am |
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| on the unmarked trail at Ann Lee Pond Nature Preserve |
- MORNING SOLO HIKE: On Veteran's Day we were supposed to get some rain. It was about 64 degrees F and partly sunny around 10 am so I headed over to hike in this nature preserve. I used to trail run here when I was allowed to run. Now I power walk/hike. I was the first car to arrive and shortly after I started on the outer loop, another person came along and then a couple of moms with their children. For the most part I had the trails to my self. I decided to explore the new unmarked trail for a mile and then turned around. I'm thankful for easy hikes not too far from my home.
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| image courtesy of Discover Albany website |
- CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR: On Veteran's Day, last Friday, after a great solo hikein the nature preserve mentioned above I then scooted across the road to the Shaker Site Museum where the annual holiday craft fair was going on. I ended up buying several items for my sister Joy for our Christmas Gift Exchange. I really had a nice time choosing some pottery for my daughters too. I also bought a small craft kit for a child at the domestic violence shelter where my youngest daughter works. I'm thankful I had time to browse and enjoy the craft fair. It had been a long time since I've gone and it's changed to more local artisans with a better variety of items.
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| me and my oldest daughter Courtney 13 November |
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| Sunset along the trail |
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| The Lisha Kill from the ridge top |
- LATE AFTERNOON HIKE: My oldest daughter had mentioned to me earlier in the week last week that she wanted me to go with her on a local hike in one of the local nature preserves. We chose one of our faves...another place where I used to trail run. It's The Lisha Kill Preserve just outside of town. "Kill" is the Dutch word for little stream. The Dutch, when they came to NY, first settled down in what is now known as New York City/Manhattan. Then many moved north to our capital where I live. We have a major Dutch influence in the city of Albany. I'm thankful for the colder temps that brought fresh air, and for my daughter spending time with me. We had a late start so I'm especially grateful we made it back to the car before the sun finally sank.
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| image courtesy of Amaz*n website |
- TUESDAY NIGHT DATE: Tuesday evening, Dave and I had a "date night". We watched the above pictured movie on Hulu right in the comfort of our own family room because when it came out, we refused to pay movie theater prices. Emma Stone was phenomenal playing the part of Estella/Cruella. It was fun to see why Cruella turned out the way she did. (if you've seen 101 Dalmatians, you know what I mean). I hadn't seen a Disney movie in a long time since the girls are grown up and moved out. But this one got such good reviews I just had to see it. It was a great way to relax during the work week. I'm grateful Dave wanted to do this and that it was all his idea!
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| from our family room looking onto the deck about 9 pm Tuesday evening |
- FRESH BEAUTY: Tuesday evening during the movie we discovered we were getting a dusting of snow. It was so pretty and earlier that day I had removed the pumpkins from the steps leading off the deck and moved them to the front stoop. As you can see, I have removed the chairs and stacked them and just the Thanksgiving garden flag is still on display. It's the first snow for the 2022-2023 school year and I'm grateful I don't live in western NY any more because they are due for a major snowstorm this weekend. I'm thankful ours was all gone by mid-morning! It's a fresh beauty but I'm not a huge fan of it other than Christmas time.
HAPPY WEEKEND!
7 comments:
Hi Faith. I know your week was challenging, and I am so encouraged by how you found so many really good things to focus on and be grateful for. You had some lovely walk/hikes at nature preserves. Glad your daughter could go along on some of them. I have zone exactly NO Christmas shopping yet, so I think I need to get going on that. I haven't seen that movie. Sounds like a good one. I hope you have a good weekend, and that the antibiotic kicks and helps out with your headaches! See you again soon.
I know how much you enjoy your walks so I'm glad you were able to get in a couple this week. I hope they helped with your difficult week. I'm hoping to get my legs stronger with less joint pain so that I can do this as well. There are a lot of short, easy hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains Nat'l Park.
I've not seen "Cruella". I'll have to see if it's on Amazon Prime. I have one more day of cat sitting, and my son has that streaming service. I've enjoyed it this week!
I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving.
I'm glad you were able to find some peaceful moments this week, and that your challenges are behind you.
I hadn't heard of the Cruella movie, but it sounds like a good one! I took my grandkids to a movie theatre last week, and while we enjoyed the show, and I was prepared that it would be a big treat ($$), I wasn't thrilled about sitting through over a half hour of commercials! Ridiculous!
I love craft fairs! The one you went to sounds like a good one.
I'm excited to hear what the doc has come up with for you. Sorry you had a rough week. Hoping your weekend brings rest and joy. Both your hikes look lovely and how fun to do one of them with your daughter. I haven't been to a Christmas Craft fair in a few years. It always irked me that they charge at the door for me to go in to spend money and they charge the vendors a fee too. We are going to a huge one at the beginning of December when we go to the OCC processing plant to volunteer. Hubby is wanting to go see it as we've heard so much about it and I'll buy the entry as part of his birthday gift. I liked that movie too. Well now you're area is starting to look a bit like ours. ;)
Sorry you had a tough week but hopefully the walks and the date night did help. Yes that snow is pretty but I wouldn't want too much of it. Have a good weekend and I hope you've got some positive news about dealing with your headaches/sinus problems.
I'm glad you just got a dusting of snow. I had heard about heavy snow expected in NY and wondered if that was your area--glad it wasn't.
That is really great news about having a new primary care dr. and new treatments for your headaches.
Glad you found a good craft fair! I used to love them, but they seem to have gone down in quality and up in prices lately.
Glad you had a fun date night at home. That's my favorite kind.
My friend mentioned last night that her family in Buffalo had 2-3 FEET of snow and were expecting more overnight. I'm glad I don't live there. We had strong winds and a dusting of snow here. And freezing cold temps. BUT. The sun is shining.
I am sorry your week has been hard. It's so good for you to focus on the hikes and date nights. Looking forward to hearing your good news!
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