November was a crazy and busy month, the first full month in our new house, with some dramatic changes in those short thirty days. Things:
- unpacking and organizing the house, plus fixing some house problems and such
- crazy weather changes, from 60s and 70s to snow and ice
- Thanksgiving, of course, plus a few other family parties for anniversaries, birthdays, etc
- car trouble – joy!
- some really bad things happening to some of my extended family 😦
- decorating for Christmas
- the first NaNoWriMo since 2009 in which I didn’t participate
- the worst politics ever, not to mention the ramifications that came afterwards
- binge-watching NCIS reruns because my brain wouldn’t really do anything except watch TV this month
- (hence) very little reading…
- as many bubble baths as I could manage
- anxiety, depression, and homesickness, plus work with doctors to try to get medicated for said anxiety and depression
It was a hard month, but I’m trying to focus on some positives. First, there’s the surprise 70’s-themed fondue party we threw for my in-laws’ 40th anniversary. It was the day after Thanksgiving and we were all dress in our 70s best. The party was full of trivia, 70’s music, sandalwood incense, paisley, and half a dozen kinds of fondue. It really was totally awesome, and one of the only times all month that I felt calm and at peace.
After that came one of my favorite things of the year: decorating the house for Christmas. Christmas is another thing that will be hard so far from home, but I’m doing all I can to incorporate as many family traditions as possible.
That’s about it for my November. I imagine the next few months are going to be particularly rough for me, but I’ll keep trying to find the little lights in the dark.
The Zen Leaf 
I’m sorry to hear that things have been hard for you lately. I think it’s great that you’re trying to find the positive, though. Things have been a bit tough for me lately too, and I do think one of the best things you can do for yourself is try to find the good.
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It can be so HARD sometimes!!
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Here’s hoping you can beat back the depression and anxiety soon! Mine has been really bad lately, so I can totally appreciate finding good among the bad. At least there is some!
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I just hope I can find enough good to not feel too overwhelmed. 😦
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It’s been a rough one. Sending you good vibes!
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Thank you! *hugs*
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I’m sorry about your family problems and the cold and the car. Sometimes it really feels like everything piles up. The political situation really isn’t helping either! The decorating is helping my mood too though. I really just can’t wait for the actual holidays to be here.
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I think I’m looking forward to 2017 even more than the holidays! I just want this awful year to be over!
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I am glad you are able to find some fun times through the bad. That 70s party looks awesome!
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It was a lot of fun to put together. 🙂
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