Ushering in Advent

How has November come and gone?  Daylight savings kicked off the month by messing with my sleep.  That early morning sun wakes me before I want to rise, but the mild, beautiful days help.  I thank God that it’s finally comfortable enough here in Texas to exercise outside, but I  always pine for colder temps to get me into the holiday spirit.  If you live in the north, I can hear you rolling your eyes from down here.  I’m sure you would trade me for my 72 degree days.  We always seem to want what we don’t have.  There’s a lesson in there somewhere.

 

The election season remains an adventure.  No matter what side of the fence you sit on (let’s be honest – both sides have become so extreme that most of us reside somewhere in the middle), just remember that approximately half the country grieves.  Everyone be kind and behave.

 

So much in the world feels heavy and dark to me right now.  So I decided to lighten up.  My hair anyway.  My friend and stylist cut several inches off and gave me a brighter color.  I feel like a new woman!  I have been told that I look both younger and thinner.  So my stylist is a true miracle worker!  My favorite dog took a trip to her stylist and got cleaned and trimmed up too.  In my frugality, I let my yorkie get pretty shaggy between visits and I always forget how cute she really is when groomed!

 

My best friend flew in from Alabama mid-month and lifted my spirits even more.  We shopped too much, ate too much, took a long walk in a beautiful park and talked about all the things.  We took in some early Christmas decor at the Gaylord Hotel for a night with my twin sister and another friend who drove up from Waco!  Much needed refreshment.  As I write this, my bff left yesterday and I already miss her.  Many thanks to her sweet family for loaning her to me.  Now I continue my scheming and plotting to get them to move back to Texas.

 

Allie stays busy with school and choir practice.  And even though she’s not driving yet herself, two of her best friends scored a license in the past month and she calls for our chauffeur services rarely now.   I can’t believe her time will come before we know it.  She already owns a car generously gifted to us by her aunt, but the stereo was shot.  An important feature for a music loving teen, we gifted her with a new one (part of her Christmas) and surprised her with it.  Such a fun reaction from a very happy girl.

 

The doctor cut out my ingrown toenails.  Ouch!  But at least he wrapped me in purple for Epilepsy Awareness Month!  I also have some nice new skin sores after the dermatologist froze several spots for me.  When you are 100% family out of pocket max on your insurance, you take care of all the things.  (Thanks Allie’s broken leg!)

 

The return of some TV favorites excited us (what else is there to do).  A Million Little Things, The Mandalorian, and The Crown thrilled and entertained.  We tried the new show Big Sky and found it too dark, not even finishing the episode.  Dark and heavy is the real world.  I need light and funny right now.  Even silly, which is why we picked up with the last season of Fuller House that we never completed.  If escapism and happy endings appeal to you, I recommend Love, Guaranteed on Netflix.  Just do it.  And as you read this, Thanksgiving is officially over and Christmas movies took center stage!

 

Covid-19 continues to be the gift that keeps on giving.  Many of our favorite holiday traditions have been canceled or strangely altered.  Including dinner and football at my parents’ house.  I am trying not to be a brat about it because I do believe it’s the smartest and safest thing to do, but this girl is in desperate need of things to look forward to.  So I cooked the turkey and dressing for my little family and my twin and her husband.  My other sister and her family stopped by for a socially distanced visit in the front yard.  At least that’s still doable in unseasonably warm Texas.

 

I will wrap this up with a picture of a HUGE headless reindeer I came across.  This might be the most 2020 Christmas decoration ever.  I pray you enjoyed a lovely Thanksgiving and that you embrace the Advent season and the hope it brings.  As always, I love you, I thank you, and I pray December treats you well.

 

And now for this week’s featured post!

 

Because I don’t want the discussion around racial injustice to wane, I had to feature Grace and Truth’s own Lisa Burgess’ recommended reading on the subject.  She has compiled a comprehensive list of resources here.  Visit her over on lisanotes.com to see what else she is writing.

 

 

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

 

 

 

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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