Update 11.2021: My Autumn Bucket List

Sweet ones, thank you for stopping by to check out today’s update 11.2021 of my autumn bucket list.  I always try to get my bucket list posts out on the 21st of the month.  Just haven’t ‘felt’ it this month.  My mom is always a worry this time of year as her struggles increase with her dread of the holidays.  We had a big party on Saturday night for PC’s baseball team.  Can assure you, I am the least likely person you know to host a party.  So that was anxiety-inducing.  Brennyn and her family have been pretty sick for several days.  Lauren had to have another medical test…she has such health issues.  When life gets crazy, I am less clear-thinking and it is hard to sit down to blog.  But today LIFE is better again.  So here we go…

UPDATE 11.2021: MY AUTUMN BUCKET LIST

Here’s where we are so far.

Just a reminder: Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After occasionally uses affiliate links. This means that if you click or make a purchase from a link provided I may receive a very small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.

BODY

• Fall hike or moonlight walk:  we have wanted to take the tin mine hike for several years, would love to do that, or enjoy a moonlight walk on a walking path in the city.    Why yes, we finally hiked the Tin Mines trail!!  And it was well-worth the somewhat strenuous effort.  The 6 mile round-trip trail is described as easy to traverse, kid- and pup-friendly but we found it slightly challenging.  It is not well marked so we weren’t too sure how to get up to the mines from the obvious trail path.  There were no ‘turn here’ signs!!  The terrain was rocky and sandy and the last eighth of a mile was pretty much straight up.  But the mines were interesting.  We were glad to have our high-powered flashlights in order to see our way into their very dark depths.  It was a great way to spend a fall afternoon.

• Reach lifetime Weight Watchers weight of 138:  really need to make this happen before hibernation weather sets in.  We are tracking WW points again.  And I was down to 138.9 last week.  Then we had our baseball party on Saturday.  And Thanksgiving is Thursday.  So, it may be short-lived but I did reach my lifetime weight.  We are tracking and need to get back to exercising more.
• Facial and develop skin care routine:  need a facial as summer ends and to find and stick to a skin care routine.   Enjoyed a wonderful facial with Roxie at Essence Spa.  Have had to cut back a little on my skin care regimen because the skin near my mouth became irritated.  Probably just need to be more careful when applying the products.

PRODUCTS I AM USING

At night I am using L’Oreal Paris Skincare Revitalift triple power anti-aging face moisturizer with pro retinol, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C on my face and RoC Retinol Correxion deep wrinkle night cream on the deepest wrinkles, those on the bridge of my nose between my eyebrows most of all.  In the morning, I apply La Roche-Posay Toleriane double repair face moisturizer, oil-free face cream with niacinamide and SPF 30.

I was also invited to try an assortment of Vegamour skin and hair products and have a post coming with my review.  Just know that I am impressed!!

HEART

• New to us activity: iFly, Top Golf, ride the trolley, tour downtown via scooters:  would love to do any or all of these on a date night.   Maybe this holiday weekend.
• Weekend getaway with PC:  We need this so badly.  I don’t know where we will go, maybe even just downtown El Paso, but we need a getaway, just the 2 of us.   We did go off with bags packed for a day of vineyard visiting and wine tasting but couldn’t find anywhere we really felt like spending the night.  So drove back home and slept in our own bed.  Saving probably $300 with room and meals.  Still hopeful we will get an overnight getaway in between now and the new year.
• Family weekend with Brennyn:  hoping to do the pumpkin patch, horseback riding, visit Ruidoso, NM and White Sands for photos.   Yup in October!!  We hit up all of this.  Ruidoso for shopping and pizza, White Sands for pregnancy photos and playing in the sand, pumpkin patch and corn maze and on the last day, horseback riding. Then I went to Ft. Worth for Brennyn and Mustafa’s baby shower the first weekend of November.  Giving myself 2 green check marks for this one.

MIND

• Use Adventures in Writing to do at least 3 creative writing exercises:  want to get back to creative writing and this book has such great prompts.    Bought the book.  You can get yours here.  Have written responses to 2 prompts in the book.  Need to do one more to get that check mark.
• Learn to do Instagram Reels or videos and do at least one, continue refocusing blog:  my sweet friend Danielle at sent me this link to “Beginners Guide to Instagram Reels – How to Make Reels on IG” when I mentioned to her that I wanted to learn more about Instagram.  Now to use that info!!  Also hope to continue refocusing my blog on life after retirement.    Not yet.
• Conduct meet and greet with book club, donate to LFL:  the members has asked for an interactive experience, so I need to make that happen.  Also want to encourage them and YOU to donate to your local Little Free Library.  November is Children’s Book Month.    So, November is about over and no meet and greet yet.  But I have invited members of my book club to join me for an ornament swap and meet-n-greet.  Used Elfster to create the exchange and invitations.  Have plenty of books to donate to the Little Free Library in our neighborhood.  Will make that happen this week.

SPIRIT

• Donate blankets or warm clothes:  Our church collects items but might also look for specific individuals who need help.    I am so glad to have this list to remind me of my good intentions.  Looked up blanket drives and found this one hosted by the Braden Aboud Memorial Foundation.  In the past, we have participated in 5ks sponsored by the foundation.  Found these snowcap fleece throw blankets on Academy Sports available in 6 colors for under $3.00 a piece.  Going to order some and take them to the foundation for their drive.

• Pumpkin craft activity with The Maker Beehive or Beaded Skull Mosaic with Terri Wright or other fall craft:  I have wanted to do another mosaic since I finished my big project during the #100DayProject and my sister and I love doing mixed media projects with Jennifer Chamberlin at The Maker Beehive.   These projects are so much fun.  Absolutely loved making my pumpkins with my sister Valerie.  Today we started a Christmas tree project using this free video for instruction.

• Continue to use 365 Days of Creativity and the Krafty Planner’s journal prompts and Bible journal during my quiet time:  my quiet time has kind of morphed or evolved lately.  Need to write about that.  Both of these tools have been a part of my new morning routine.   Have been doing all 3 but won’t pat myself on the back quite yet.  Need to be a little more faithful to these activities before I can give myself a green check mark with a clear conscience.

STYLE

• Try a fall fashion trend, style and share:  probably one of the trends shared in the fall 2021 capsule wardrobe with Alison Lumbatis.  You can register with my affiliate link and check out the trends, too.   Actually working on this post (and about a dozen others) as I type!!
• Fall mani/pedi, buy a new fall lipstick:  not sure if this will be a professional mani/pedi or a do-it-myself job.  But will find a great fall polish and lipstick to match.   Had thought maybe for Thanksgiving but not sure now.  Will at least get a new lipstick before Thursday.  Stay tuned!!
• Have my colors done:  a color master class is available through Get Your Pretty On, here.  Have never had my colors done.  Maybe it’s time?    I purchased the color master class and even got it on sale.  Took it last night.  Still a little confused about what colors work best for me.  Thinking I am True Autumn…warm, bright and between light and dark.

TASTE BUDS

• Bake seasonal recipe:  thinking a fruit cobbler or pie, some kind of bread, a soup or chili.  Makes me hungry and happy thinking about it.    I have made this zucchini bread recently that was delicious.  And want to make it again next week.  Also made this Cincinnati-style chili recipe but it was not a big hit with either of us.  I think if I cut the spice measurements by half, it would be much better.  Might try it again.  Made a delicious pot of soup to redeem myself after the chili fiasco.  My book club read Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty which mentions apple crumble.  So decided to make it instead of apple pie for Thanksgiving.  Going to use this recipe.
• Burrito run:  we have had a lot of fun with our tamale run last winter, our taco run this spring and know that the burrito run will be equally fun and delicious.    Using this guide, we sampled our first burritos a week ago.  Bought a deshebrada (shredded beef) and a veggie.  They were scrumptious.  A mix of lots of flavors in the veggie.  Kind of like a chile relleno.   We ate them before hiking to the tin mines.  Can’t tick this off til we try a few more burrito places.

• Wine tasting:  have missed the wine fests we usually hit this time of year…thanks, Covid.  And we are about out of wine!!  Horrors!!  Time to sample some new wine and stock up the wine rack.  Had given myself this check mark for an abbreviated wine tasting at Noisy Water Winery in Ruidoso when we went up to the mountains while Bren and Cady were here.  But wanted to go with PC.  And we did.  Took a wonderful day trip through southeastern New Mexico.  Convertible top down, beautiful fall weather.  Here are some highlights.  Even ran up to Elephant Butte lake for a bit before deciding to come home rather than spending the night.

TOTAL PROGRESS SO FAR

So, let me do the math.  Out of 18 activities, I’ve earned 8 green check marks, up 5 from my last update, here.   Getting close on a couple of other items.  Should be in pretty good shape this time next month when I share my final update.

YOUR TURN

What activities and hobbies have you enjoyed this fall?  Hope you’ve stepped out of your comfort zone and tried something new, too!!  Doing so it good for us!!

Thank you for stopping by today, I am thankful for your visit!!

Hugs and kisses