Dear friends,
Gathering together with some of my favorite bloggers to share our progress on the autumn bucket lists we created waaaay back in September. This is our second update; our first went live on 10.21.2018. If you missed it, you can read mine, here.
I am pleased with my progress and hope to have checked everything off the list when I share my last update on 12.21.2018. Which, by the way, is the same day we will publish our winter bucket lists. Here’s where I am so far on the 15 activities on my 2018 autumn bucket list.
My 2018 Autumn Bucket List in ABC Order, Of Course
- College football game – pending. We have that on the weekend’s agenda.
- Donation or pay it forward – check, check. Made a donation to my sister’s Relay for Life Facebook fundraiser. You can, too! Follow this link to make a donation in honor or memory of someone you love who’s had to battle cancer. Also, made a donation to the Animal Rescue League on El Paso Giving Day, 11.15.2018.
- Fall craft – pending. Want to do something special. Thought it would be something pumpkin-y but I think that ship has sailed. If I don’t hurry, it won’t be a fall craft at all.
- Fire in firepit or fireplace – checkitty check check. We have really enjoyed doing this several times a week lately. Our little chiminea is so cute. Made out of a vintage fire extinguisher.
- Full moon at White Sands – check, 10.24.2018. My camera was acting squirrelly, of course, so my photos leave much to be desired. And PC was a bit of a grump about going which made me grumpy. But once we got to White Sands and had sub sandwiches and snuggled under the moon, all was well.
- Groove and Glow 5K Run – check, 09.22.2018.
- Hike – pending. Have that also penciled in for this long weekend.
- Hot air balloon fest in Albuquerque – check, 10.12.2018. So enjoyed this. Not sure who was more mesmerized, Lucia or me.
- Instant Piano Class for Hopelessly Busy People at EP Community College – scratch. I registered for this one day class. On the morning it met, my alarm clock, in its infinite wisdom, had ‘fallen back’ one day early. So I was over an hour late to class but when I arrived, the classroom was dark with no sign of teacher, students or pianos. Turned out the class was cancelled. I plan to try again next semester.
- MSBL World Series in Phoenix (PC adds ‘and win a World Series ring’) – check, 10.13.2018-10.19.2018.
- My Fashion Haus for looks from the Fall 2018 Work Wear and Fall Capsule Wardrobe Challenges – check. Shared some of my looks from the Fall Capsule Wardrobe, in this post, here. And some other Fall Capsule Wardrobe outfits, here.
- New soup and Instapot recipes – check, Tasty Tuesday on 10.16.2018, crock pot chicken pot pie soup. And Tasty Tuesday, 10.23.2018, creamy sausage potato soup and a soup recipe swap blog hop.
- Paint rocks – partial check, 10.06.2018. Over the long weekend when I am not hiking or attending the UTEP football game, I plan to paint…I WILL paint some rocks like these.
- The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society on Netflix – check, 10.28.2018. So moved by the book when I listened to it on Audible and the movie was very well done. Not completely true to the book, probably in the interest of condensing a book into a 2 hour production.
- UTEP dinner theater or dance performance – check, 11.10.2018. Not a UTEP dinner theater play or a dance performance but a Broadway performance (!!!!) of The Sound of Music at the Plaza Theater. Oh, so good.
By my count, there are 3 activities still pending…the football game, the fall craft and the hike. Had to nix one – the piano class but that was pretty much out of my control. Which means I have accomplished 11 things on my list with a month of autumn still remaining. Yay me!
Mini Bucket List for the Holidays
Last year, since winter doesn’t officially start until 12.21, I decided to put together this mini bucket list for the holidays. It was a hit with several blogger buddies. So I decided to do it again this year. Would love to have you join us. We will share our list on 12.01.2018 and then report back on how we fared at the end of the month. Please let me know if you’d like to join us. And keep in mind we will share our winter bucket lists on 12.21.2018. Mark those calendars!
Your Turn
Did you make at least a mental list of things you wanted to do this fall? What progress have you made? What has been your favorite activity of the season? I have really enjoyed the time we have spent sitting in our hot tub with a fire in the chiminea. Sometimes it is the simple things, you know?
If you have a fall bucket list post to share, please link up with us below.
Final Thoughts
While most of us look forward to the holidays – the family gatherings, the traditions, the cooking and eating and gift-giving – there are some folks who really struggle this time of year. My mom is one. This time 2 years ago, my brother and sister and I were scrambling to try to find help for our then 89 year-old mother who had just attempted suicide. An overdose. My brother found her. Five years before that, my mother made her first suicide attempt. My father found her that time.
We find ourselves trying to navigate these strangely familiar waters again this week. My mom hasn’t tried a third attempt yet. Yet. But we are on the brink and scrambling to figure out what to do. Again.
As we make plans for turkey and ham with all the trimmings, with thoughts of all we are thankful for, my brother and sister and I are praying hard for our mom. Every day lately I wonder if I should set this blog aside. And it may be that the time is coming. Praying for clarity. Praying for my mom.
Hugs and kisses and happy Thanksgiving,
Kellyann Rohr
What a bummer that you got to the piano class and it was cancelled! Ugh!!! It’s about the time of year here – finally – to enjoy our fire pit. Such a cozy way to enjoy and evening! Happy Thanksgiving sweet friend!
xo,
Kellyann
Dara
I hope everything will be ok with your mom. Great job on your bucket list so far.
ShootingStarsMag
You did a great job on your Fall bucket list, and a whole month still to go! And I love those snowmen and penguin rocks – you should definitely try one of those! 🙂 I have a friend that is so artistic, she is GREAT at painting rocks. I wish I had that talent. hah
Oh gosh, I’m so sorry to hear about your mom. I know I deal with depression around the holidays, but thankfully never that severe. I really hope she’s okay this year for herself, but of course, for your family too.
-Lauren
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
Those rocks are so cute, love the ones you are planning to paint! Ohh, so jealous of that chiminea! I love that it is made out of a vintage fire extinguisher… how cool is that?
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Donna
Congratulations on all of the accomplishments that you have achieved here. I love how your bucket list is in alphabetic order (nice touch). And I love the falling leaves on my screen! 🙂
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Aww, I have been terribly off-schedule on my blogging due to worry over my sick mom. Just now seeing this comment. I love the leaves falling on my blog page. And they are about to turn into snowflakes! Hope you will come back to check that out.
Hey, come join us for our holiday mini bucket list, going live on 12.012018! And our winter bucket list. Going live on 12.21.2018. Would love to have you join us. And if you like, I can add you to the email group so you get the link-up codes and email reminders.
Cindi
I’m sorry to hear about your mom. Hang in there. I’m certain it hasn’t been easy on you and your family.
Have a merry, Happy Thanksgiving.
Debs
Please don’t give up on your blog – I look forward to reading your posts, and who else would suggest books for me to read?
I’m so sorry you have such worries with your mum, you and your family must be very anxious. I lost my mum the week before Christmas 20 years ago so I know that this time of year does not bring back happy memories for everyone. Thankfully you have a strong family to support each other – keep strong.
Andrea@WellnessNotes
I’m so sorry that your mom is struggling again. What a difficult time for you and your family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
You checked a lot off your list! Good job! Too bad the piano class was cancelled and you weren’t notified. Especially since you probably rushed there because you were late…
I hope to join the bucket list posts again sometime next year. I love that it makes me do new things!
Laura
Oh my gosh! These are all wonderful items and you’ve done so many! I have lots of great memories from White Sands, but I don’t think I ever saw it at night! What a fun date!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Awwww, I just love that you know White Sands and that it holds special memories for you. It is such a unique place! I want to go back again for another full moon evening when my camera is more cooperative…or, when I know how better to use my camera. Ha!!
Michael Ann
Leslie! You’ve done some REALLY fun stuff, girl! Good for you! I hate that the piano class didn’t work out. Come on over to my house and we can do a lesson or two! I’m praying for your mom and all of you who love her. Truly. (My post is now up. I may link up to the Christmas bucket list post if that’s okay.)