Thoughts and Quotes: If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes.
Andrew Carnegie
I've had some bumps on my road of life, but by and large, I've been very happy. Perhaps it's because I've been setting goals? As a teen and young adult, I had a couple of mental goals. I wanted to be independent and not poor. As that worked out well, I should have wanted to be independent and rich. By the time I reached my thirties, I had started making a written list of goals at the beginning of each year. A list of things to do, buy, see, taste, smell, experience which makes life exciting. And what a feeling of accomplishment when you check a goal off your list and say "Done!" As Covid seems to be fading into the past, I'm ready for a new and wonderful year. I checked the calendar and saw that my list might be bigger than my remaining years, so I need to hit the ground running in 2022, and keep on pushing if I want lots of checkmarks.
The new year is right around the corner. Time to start your list - I've already started.
Tasting and Thrifting: I just had a visit from David, a friend I met on a trip to China. He was here a week and we did lots of both. We had at least one meal out everyday.
Keeter Center - we checked out the gift shop before lunch; really fun items for fall.
Always a few fresh flowers on your table, yeast rolls and raisin scones, butter and homemade apple butter.
I loved seeing the dairy cows; they're usually off in another field.
And I had Strawberry Chicken
We both had the Garden Vegetable-Beef Soup
And we chose the Lady Lavender Tea, which is Earl Grey with added lavender, vanilla, and orange peel.
Victoria's the second time. We chose Blue Eyes tea, which is black tea with apples, hibiscus, and rose hips. It's a delicate pink color, and I loved my teacup.
The soup was Chicken-Pesto - a little messy looking, but good.
David had the Strawberry Chicken and I had Parmesan Chicken. And I am so stealing this lettuce idea.
Texas Roadhouse - my usual Roadkill with a Caesar Salad. Roadkill is a ground beef patty, smothered in grilled onions and mushrooms and topped with Monterey Jack cheese.
I bought books - all $1 or less
Wall art - $6
$2 Coffee mug
$2 Tea cup with insert
Teapots - $3 each; the blue one is a prettier shade than the photo shows.
Napkin Rings - $4.50; beaded and new in a sweet bag. The tag was still on them, so I checked the internet (www.alwayselegant.com), and they were originally $15, on sale for $10.
$5.49 for a tablecloth and five placemats.
$5.49 for a runner, six placemats, and a napkin. New with tags from Waterford.
$2 for four placemats.
75 cents each
$1 each
$1.25 Soft kitty blanket
$3 Plastic handle
$5 Glass handle
Thank Yous: When Mim and I were canvassing, I commented on the pretty white mums, and that I hadn't seen white ones this year. A few days later, she brought me this.
And to David, who reads a lot and brought me some books he liked, along with a DVD of the Downton Abbey movie he enjoyed.
NOVEMBER BUCKET LIST
Start your Christmas shopping
Make a pumpkin pie
Get out your winter clothes
When you wake up, thank God for a new day and all your blessings
Put the electric blanket on the bed
Invite friends for a fall lunch
Buy a turkey for now or later
Make real cranberry sauce – not the stuff in the can
Try a new soup recipe
Tuck up with a cozy throw, a good book, and a cup of hot chocolate
Invite friends over for games
Buy some fall flowers
Go out for lunch at a restaurant you’ve never tried
Eat apple slices dipped in caramel
Have grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup for lunch
Stock up on non-perishables to avoid going out in the icy cold
Make apple crisp
Spend an afternoon at the library
Vote on the 2nd
MAKE GRATITUDE A HABIT
GO OUT TO ENJOY THE AUTUMN COLOR
DRINK PLENTY OF WATER
EAT YOUR GREENS
SPREAD LOVE WHEREVER YOU GO
THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE
