November was a month that fell apart on the 4th. That was the day that I went to check on my mom and found her in the house alone, dead from a stroke or heart attack. My life changed instantly. My youngest sister and I are Executors of her will so that took over our lives. We had to empty, clean, and sell her house. That process is ongoing. We have a middle sister who lives farther away who also has been helping. In the process of lifting and carrying things, I made my hairline fracture worse. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis. But despite it all, I did make a little progress.
- COMPLETED: We did it! We made it back from our trip October 6. So I can now mark off Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri off my map. Visit 3 states I haven’t been to before. I desire to visit every state in the United States in my lifetime.
- COMPLETED: I have completed 38 books toward the 30 I plan to read this year. I finally finished the long one I was reading, but that is it. This goal will have to increase next year, or I will have to read longer books. Read 30 books.
- COMPLETED: I am continuing physical therapy. However, my physical therapist gave me permission to attempt driving. So on February 19 my husband road along as I drove. We went on the freeway very briefly, mainly driving in town. Since then I have driven several times by myself. This was probably my most important goal since it has given me the freedom that has brightened up my days. Drive by myself.
- COMPLETED: I had my BAHA (bone attached hearing aid) surgery on July 22. On August 20 I received the outside portion of my implant. It was with great joy that I realized I could hear my husband speaking to me on the way home from that appointment. I’m still getting used to this, but as time goes on I think I will adapt to it a bit better. I didn’t regain any hearing in my ear, but I have the ability to feel like I am hearing in my left ear. All options have been pursued. To have the hearing in my left ear improved to 30% or all options pursued. Another result of my brain tumor surgery.
- PROGRESS: We put the grass in the front yard. Sprinklers are in. I’m waiting for the heat to settle down to work in the yard again. We have looked for bushes a few times but haven’t found the ones we want yet. We actually bought a few plants on 10/31. However, the winter garden has taken over my husband’s plans. It must be going to happen in November, before Thanksgiving. Have our front and back yard landscaping completed so we can enjoy them.
- COMPLETED: Unfortunately, this has been completed. Since my mom died, I ended up with her car, a newer version of mine. My husband organized things so that I can park it in the garage. Clean up/organize our garage so I can park in the garage.
- PROGRESS: The weight roller coaster continues. Honestly, if it were a roller coaster it would be bigger changes. Sadly I have been eating too much. Stress never helps. I am now up a pound for the year. I can’t imagine being successful on this one. Lose 10 lbs.
- COMPLETED: It feels great to no longer have any house or car payments. Pay off all debt. This was on my list for last year and I came close, but not quite.
- PROGRESS: I have finished one baby quilt. I went fabric shopping again because Joann’s Fabric had a great black Friday sale. There was no actual progress. Begin and finish three baby quilts.
- PROGRESS: In emptying out my mom’s house I found a Bible that my mother’s parents and siblings gave to my great grandmother nd a bound book of the family ancestor on mom’s mom’s side. She had told me she had it, but she was unable to find it. I am now in contact with another cousin. We are trying to figure out her upline of relatives. She is adopted and knows her birth father’s name and thanks to 23andMe her great great grandfather, who was my great-grandfather’s brother. I love trying to solve a mystery. This can be so exciting. I have been in contact with a second cousin. This is one of my last things on my mind, hence it is not going quickly. I have started typing up my history on one side. Ancestry: Tie at least 10 more people that are my second or third cousins to my family tree.
November was not very productive. I’m not giving up yet, except possibly on my weight and my ancestry. I don’t think I was really committed to those goals. If you have goals set, don’t give up on yourself either. We have the time to do it if we put in the effort. Commitment is so important when you are trying to accomplish anything. One more months to go!
