My MacBook arrived and so did rain - Thriving week 51

I can’t say enough about how kind and patient my son has been as I tried to get through being overwhelmed at how to replace my 11 ish year old desktop that is struggling to operate. He helped me think through what I need from a computer, what size of laptop would work for me, took me to the Apple Store to see my options in person, patiently answered questions, ordered it when I saw the Black Friday sales were great (I paid for it of course), and got the mouse, keyboard, etc. too. He even asked what color I wanted - rose gold in case you are wondering.

Then he came over and walked me through setting it up never assuming what I wanted but asking me questions the whole way. Transferred my files and gave me a beginner tutorial. I did feed him lunch lol.

I still have some questions and lots of learning to do. There are a few loose ends with files, etc. but it is operational and YouTube has some really good tutorial videos. It turns out that this is probably just in time as the last windows automatic update seems to have “stressed” the desktop into working grudgingly. Once we feel confident about getting rid of the desktop and monitor I will have a big desk work space.

Hubby flew to LA on Thursday to have a visit with a close friend so pup and I had a couple days on our own including the new laptop setup. And our enrollment in the desired Kaiser plan finally went through with many follow up phone calls to get it done. I’m feeling relieved.

Regular rainy season started (no atmospheric rivers yet) so I let it be a quiet time but realize it really is too quiet without regular activities and friends as I had managed to find where we lived last. We will have lived here 2 years as of April and I have lovely acquaintances but no ongoing activities or close friends. Hoping that will change.

As with many though I am grateful for all that is good in my life and in 2025 will keep focusing on what I have to be thankful for.

Checking things off - Thriving week 50

Yeah, a few more things done or in process!

- We placed the new file cabinet in the office and the old one curbside with a free sign on Sunday. It took until Tuesday evening for it to head off for a new home but it didn’t have to go to the landfill. I figured out an order for the files, went through most to remove excess, and they are all in place. Next step will be better labeling and probably some more organizing so our son could easily find things if needed.

- A handyman came over to look at fixing the front door weatherstripping and installing a new stair rail that will be the correct height and on the correct side. He told us where to go shopping to pick out what style we want and what parts are needed. We went to look and now are a bit more confused but we will figure it out. The old railing is way too low and that is the major part of it not being safe.

- I started planning the first few reads for “The 52 Book Club” 2025 reading challenge prompts. I will not be buying any books and am stopping my Kindle Unlimited subscription so they have to be from the library, Little Free Libraries or public domain book sites. I’ll be reading more than that most likely and am thinking about doing “What I am Reading” posts on Wednesdays. My thought right now is to read one book I enjoy for each prompt. I went ahead and started. As the moderators say, it is your challenge do you decide on your rules lol.

- All Christmas gifts have arrived and been wrapped. Cards all mailed.

- I’m in the midst of personal and home administration planning for 2025. I’ll start my personal plan with one habit to try to change and winter plans/intentions. I still need to think about what has to be done for our home and what I want to do in addition. Lots of old lists to go through lol.

52 Book Club 2025 Challenge

Since I’ve yet to find a local book club to join, I’m going to try to do this challenge to shake up and broaden my reading. I’m having fun already looking up books that might fit the weekly prompts. The Facebook group is very active and full of ideas.

Anyone want to join me in this challenge?

52 book club 2025 challenge

Small wins - Thriving week 49

Ginkgos are my favorite type of tree in the Fall

Thursday - Missing Thanksgiving dinner was ok (we were very tired from getting up with the pup during the night) and pup is doing better.

Friday - I was so happy because Hubby fixed the stuck zipper on my down jacket after I had given up!

Saturday - Hubby received a wok for his birthday from our son’s family and is planning to get back into Chinese cooking. I asked if he would like to go to the bookstore to pick out a Christmas present cookbook for inspiration. He found a used one he wanted for a whole $10. The second part of his gift will be going shopping for ingredients and out to lunch by the big Asian grocery store near us. Our finances are combined so it truly is the thought that counts.

Amazing sunset view from our balcony tonight.

Sunday - I filled out the final forms for our switch to Kaiser for 2025, scanned them and attached them to the draft email that will go out tomorrow morning. However that email didn’t go through so I sent them via priority mail. Also did our month end finances, planned cash flow for December and moved some money around.

Monday - Happy that I found just the kind of file cabinet I want in a good color for our office and half price at Staples. Will be delivered for free tomorrow and hopefully be a great replacement for our broken fiberboard one that I bought for $5 at a yard sale about 20 years and two moves ago. That was a good return on investment!

Tuesday - We went out for Hubby’s belated nice birthday lunch at a restaurant on the bay. He was quite happy with the view and his lunch

Wednesday - Glad this guy is not only a great sleeper normally but is also over his diarrhea so he sleeps all night again. Back at Pilates after 3 weeks off due to illness and Thanksgiving!

Results - November goals

 🎂🧣🍎🧘🏼🎨🎼🍁💻🐶☔️🍗

Well once again my list was too long and also was impacted by being sick for 10 days plus pup keeping us up at night with tummy troubles.

Still, important things were accomplished. I’m going to say that self care happened but is was in the form of naps and sitting around reading while I was sick!

BONUS: What wasn’t on the list but got done is that I bought a Mac laptop at Black Friday’s very discounted prices based on my son’s recommendations. Learning how to use it will be a project for 2025. My desktop is so old that it can’t upgrade Windows and it is quite slow. Time for it to go.

CELEBRATE

*  Done: Enjoy celebrating our Granddaughter’s 8th birthday and the accompanying visit by our older son and DIL. 11/17 & 18

* Postponed due to weather and holiday: He wants to go out to lunch by the water so we will - Celebrate Hubby’s 72nd birthday however he wants on 11/21

* Done: Send cards, emails or make calls for my cousin’s birthday and brother and SIL’s anniversary.

* Done: He had to head back early for business reasons but we saw him 3 times - Enjoy visits with my nephew who is in town for most of the month but lives in Taiwan.

* Done: sent, instead of taking, a charcuterie board for appetizer - Thanksgiving with DIL’s family

LEARN & DO STUFF

* Completed first of 3 steps and got directions for other 2 - Sign up to change secondary health insurance to Kaiser for 2025 and beyond.

* Started : watching YouTube videos to learn the basics -Become comfortable with Google docs, sheets, drive and photos.

- Set up weekly exercise program and specific exercises targeted for my body.

- Farmer’s Market to get apples for eating and cooking.

* Nope: Cancelled registration due to cold -Attend card making class 11/21 at rec center.

SELF CARE - didn’t happen as planned 

- Practice a month of daily thankfulness.

- Buy cool weather clothing on my list.

- Art, music or nature outing.

- Find a colorful piece of art for bedroom - thrift store?

PREP FOR RAIN & COLD

* Done - Buy a better raincoat for the pup. His current one blows up in the wind and he gets wet as well as annoyed. This week I was able to buy myself rain pants so once he gets a better coat we are set.

* Partially - Ready the house and yard.

* Done - wash patio furniture and store much of it in garage

Delayed until Spring - touch up paint on metal patio furniture that stays outside

* 1/2 Done -  Handyman was a no show but Hubby got one thing done - fixed attic door so it closes tight - Still to do: shop for matching weatherstripping and replace on one side of the front door

Nicely Done!

Looks nicer than I would have arranged it! We sent olives and mustard too.

Hmmm - Best Laid Plans

The pup’s tummy troubles came back so we are at home for Thanksgiving. I am feeling very grateful though because 

* Yesterday our son and small granddaughter came over and we had so much fun. She decided to try playing the electronic drum set, colored and told us to participate, and just generally was a joy.

* That led to an invitation to dinner at their house so we had a nice time with the whole crew.

* Although he kept Hubby from getting much sleep last night, the pup seems hydrated and energetic. We are back to the soft food diet and probiotic for now. I’m thankful I got him to the vet on Tuesday.

* The food we were taking for Thanksgiving is going with our son so that part of the meal will show up.

* It is a beautiful sunny and brisk day so a long walk to enjoy the fall color on a very quiet day is my plan.

Happy Thanksgiving to all who are celebrating.