Five 5s on the last day of November (and NaBloPoMo)

Unexpected happenings

• The 15yo did not get the internship that was consuming so much of our time and mental/emotional energy.
• Serval had a health emergency. It cost $$$.
• We had to totally change the cat’s food. Turns out Serval is not allergic to poultry! (Thank goodness)
• School cancelled on the Friday before the Thanksgiving Break due to a water main break.
• The husband was invited to Berlin for work, and is leaving this coming Saturday for a week.

Highlights

• NaBloPoMo was a lot of fun. I loved reading all the blog posts, and was proud that I posted every day! (I’m counting the day I missed, because I only missed by two minutes. 😉 Thanks again to San for hosting!
• Hiking at the Marin Headlands with the family.
• Impromptu date night with the husband the Monday before Veterans day.
• Outlets with the 15yo. We got some good deals and had a great time.
• Two kid-free nights with the husband this past week.

Lowlights

• The emotional fallout from the 15yo not getting the internship. It was really hard for her, and I think both the husband and I were struck by how long it took us to process the disappointment.
• Struggling through a couple weeks of low mood.
• Getting sick over the break. I never felt awful, but I’ve definitely been battling a head and chest cold.
• Spending too much money. I feel like I kind of lost control for a couple of weeks and I regret some of my purchases this month. I really need to stop buying stuff.
• Stressing about my ADHD med change. I’ve really struggled with focus recently, but I can’t tell if it’s entirely because of the change in my meds. I’ve spent A LOT of mental energy thinking about whether or not I should change back to a stimulant medication, and how long I should wait before I do (if that is what I decide). It’s been a pretty massive mental energy suck for me this month.

Achievements

• Purchased all the Christmas gifts! I could grab a few more small things, but I could also be done and have plenty.
• Put the winter bedding on our bed. This involves taking a bunch of stuff out of the hallway closet, to get back to the heavier bedding. Then I had to wash the duvet cover and the bamboo blanket, which takes forever to dry.
• Deep cleaned the kids’ shower AND the plastic shelves where we keep a bunch of stuff in that bathroom. That thing was disgusting.
• Reorganized my closet. I got rid of a bunch of clothes I don’t wear much anymore, packed some stuff into storage, and moved around what was left so there is space for my colder weather clothes, and they are easier to access!
• Got the calendars made and ordered! I didn’t even have pictures curated at the start of the month, so it was a lot to get done.

Looking forward to / coming up next month

• SHU’s book (Best Laid Plans) coming out mid-month! I pre-ordered it and I can’t wait to read it!
• The winter break, obvi. Only 14 teaching days between now and two weeks off.
• The holidays. I love this time of year. I love the lights. I love the celebrations. The kids are old enough that I even kind of like Christmas day now! Ha!
• Our staff holiday party. I like our staff and it’s usually a good time.
• But before that… the second week of December is shaping up to be a real doozy. The husband is away in Berlin. I have book club at the same time as the dojo’s anniversary/holiday party that Saturdays (the 6th). The 12yo has a show at school that I need to get coverage for to see. The 15yo has a winter concert, plus a tech and dress rehearsal. There is an info night for the 6th grade sleep away trip (which is in May! Why is the info meeting during the busiest month of the year?!) on the same night there is a special guest teacher at the dojo. The next Saturday is Rec and Park’s winter registration and I’m trying to get the 12yo on a swim team. It’s going to suck. I’m already dreading it. Blerg. Blerg. And more blerg.