I've been behind on almost everything this month. Too many events packed into too short a time. To make things even more hectic, about a week before Thanksgiving, I was working in the garden and pulled a muscle in my back. Somehow this worked torture on the sciatic nerve in my right leg.
I moaned, groaned, whined and spent about 4 days with Aspercreme, Advil, my trusty heating pad, and my Kindle. By Thanksgiving it was nothing more than a slight ache. Whew!
We had a great get together, starting on Wednesday, with too much food--snacks, gumbo, cornbread sandwiches. Then, of course, more food on the big day; after Thursday's meal, everyone was looking for a quiet place to rest and digest. :) Football, naps, and reading were in order.
Catching up on Mail
I adore this card from Teresa, she is the latest in the Highland Crew's royalty.
It's amusing to think of Queen Teresa relaxing in a chair--
she's much more likely to be on a committee
promoting the arts in the neighborhood,
writing for their local literary magazine.
heading out to pick up litter with the Highland Restoration Association folks,
re-stocking the Little Free Library she and Ricky
built several years ago--you get the idea.
Not an idle Queen.
from Marc & Debbie
Marc's photography always makes an appearance for holidays!
Outgoing
Going out today
B.E.
Mila
Max
Not sure, but I think the creature below will be my Zodiac symbol for 2020, which will be the next Year of the Rat. I ended up liking him when he was finished.
The smaller mouse has no clothing. Or arms. Or legs. At least not attached to his body. He/She will have to wait until I decide gender and clothing.
Skipped Black Friday; I've actually never done a Black Friday because I never have the energy or desire to shop after all that food and celebrating. I may miss the bargains, but a relaxing "day-after" is more suited to my procrastinator style.
Christmas projects, however, are something I do enjoy. Last year I made several fabric bags instead of using wrapping paper for everything. I made the first one for this year yesterday. Have more fabric scraps cut into various sizes and ready to stitch into gift bags. Most are small, but I do have some fabric for slightly larger gifts. Whenever I get around to purchasing them....
I’m so glad to hear your sciatic “issue” was a minor blip—those can really drag on. It makes me go all runny to know that gumbo and cornbread are part of your holiday celebrations. I must have some Creole in my ancestry, or maybe it’s a past life, as I love that cuisine down to my very soul. I must get back to New Orleans again soon!
ReplyDeleteI can’t wait to see what the Year of The Rat brings to your cute little Mr. Rodent!
I admit to being a little frightened as I remember my mother's agony with a sciatic nerve, but things seem to have worked out. My husband's chicken and sausage gumbo is my favorite, but New Orleans has so many delicious versions of gumbo! In fact, I, too, need to get back to N.O. and indulge in her varied and delicious cuisine. :)
DeleteI have that sciatic thing too. Mine is caused by compressing vertebrae as I age. Advil and laying on the floor and pulling my knees to my chest usually relieves it a lot. Your closing meme is a true story. I have another blog that is private. When an issue bothers me, I write my thoughts on the blog. There have been quite a few letters to my daughter posted there. But I immediately delete them because someone else may somehow come across them. You can't trust Blogger with your secrets. But once written, they are out of mind.
ReplyDeleteHappy last week of November. One to bright colored lights.
xx, Carol
I haven't been practicing my yoga (again). Each time I quit for a length of time, issues come up. The move you describe sounds like apanasana, which is also good for anxiety. I'm restarting my yoga routine (again) and hoping to keep my vertebra in better shape. :)
DeleteIt is awful enough being unable to get to sleep without being confronted with every mistake, misstep, misspoken event in your life!
Love that card you sent to Max...and your rat. I'd keep him out all year, too! Looking forward to your letter. xx
ReplyDeleteI wanted something bright for Max, trees for Mila who is an environmentalist, and for B.E., her dad went elk hunting. Chris didn't get an elk, and I don't even know if that is a moose or an elk!
DeleteThat's one well-dressed rat! I could fall for him in a heartbeat! I am actually still smiling after having read "The Brain at 3 a.m." :~) Queen Teresa is one to admire for sure - inspiring, just as you are! And, of course I always enjoy the incoming and outgoing mail!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I've named him Li Bai after the Chinese poet. :) I battle the 3:00 a.m. sleep monster more often than I like, but love having it encapsulated in that quote!
DeleteHe's a very fine little fellow!
ReplyDeleteHe is a rat I don't mind having around. :)
DeleteThe rat is adorable! And the quote about losing sleep is so true...:(
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debra! I'm happy with him right now--he's a genial fellow. :)
DeleteI'm glad you are feeling better. It is never fun to be sick during the holidays. Love all your happy mail.
ReplyDelete:) Thanks, Shasta. My back is better and my mailbox is happy!
DeleteI can't handle Black Friday shopping either. There's just too much stimulation for my brain. I can barely handle eating in restaurants at any time of the year. Have you noticed how noisy they all seem to be? When I imagine any big box store on that particular day, I get anxious. No need to put myself through any of that!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, the mouse is adorable and I'm happy to hear that the back pain is relieved. Now that we're getting such cold weather, you may want to keep the heating pad close by. Hopefully just to keep your toes warm! Enjoy these last days of November--they are flying by.
I'm glad you mentioned the noise level in restaurants! You can't have a real conversation in some places because the acoustics are poor. Maybe sometimes that is deliberate to keep people from lingering, but even nicer places are sometimes too noisy.
Delete:) Keeping the heating pad close by, warm socks, and creature comforts at the ready as we slide into winter.
November was crazy. I'm sorry to hear about the pulled muscle but glad you were at least much better by Thanksgiving. Now to get ready for the hectic Christmas season right?
ReplyDelete