Dear ones,
Welcome and thank you for spending a few moments with me today. Sharing my “Sentence a Day” for the month of October with some of the bestest bloggers you’d ever want to follow. Hope that after you read about my busy month, you will hop around to read about the months of my buddies. And then maybe even be inspired to start writing your own sentences each day of November. Would love to have you join us!
I think I was traveling as much as I was home this month. If not, it certainly felt that way! See what you think.
Sentence a Day, 10.2017
I like posting our sentences for the past month early in the new month. Otherwise I forget to start again!! And then I get behind and have to think too hard to remember what I’ve been up to. Hallelujah, this is just November 1 as I am typing.
Germany
- Touristing all over Bavaria; Munich, Berchtesgaden, Garmich, seeing Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest, shops and restaurants in Garmich, after starting the day in a quaint bed and breakfast in Berchtesgaden. 10.1.2017
-
Bäckerei breakfast in lovely Ettal, tour of the gilded and porcelain-adorned Schloss Linderhof, the most beloved castle of King Ludwig, drive to Lindau and walk around this quaint, lakeside town. 10.02.2017
- Scenic drive to Triberg, walk around the town, potato soup for lunch, hike up to a lively waterfall in the Black Forest, giggles in the car from Triberg to Baden-Baden. 10.03.2017
- Morning of relaxation spent at the Caracalla baths for which the the city of Baden-Baden is named, patience-trying traffic jam turned a 100 mike drive into an 8 hour ordeal that undid all of the relaxation from the morning. 10.04.2017
- German breakfasts are hard to improve on; 15K+ steps meandering around PC’s former Army post at Wiley Kaserne in Neu Ulm, the Munster church in Ulm, enjoyed my first gelato at a little shop where PC had hs first real date, drove to Nuremberg for the last leg of our trip. 10.05.2017
- Little sleep last night thinking of my mom; another cheese, bread and yogurt breakfast at Art Hotel, tour of the Nuremberg Palace of Justice where the Nazi war criminals were tried, my fashion haus in C&A store, fast-paced walking tour of castle and churches downtown, drive to Munich, dinner at Hotel zum Erdinger. Just a wake-up and heading home. 10.06.2017
- Up at 6:30, quick bite of breakfast from another sensational spread then off to the airport, long day of flying to include a 4 hour layover in Atlanta but we are HOME and sleeping in own bed tonight. 10.07.2017
And Home, Momentarily
- Groggy, under-water jet-lag feeling all day kept us home watching football, eating grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soupfor dinner and in bed at 9:00 p.m. 10.08.2017
- Here come the doubts again…loosely based on lyrics from the 1983 Eurythmics’ song…”Here comes the rain again, Raining in my head like a tragedy, Tearing me apart like a new emotion” – what is my purpose now in life? should I even bother with blogging? scrapbooking? writing? reading? 10.09.2017
- Still not sleeping ‘right’ but improving…spent the day dashing about, running self-imposed errands…crossing off purchases from the GYPO Work Wear shopping list, replenishing the kitty coffers (litter, food) before our trip to Phoenix, ironing, ironing, ironing. 10.10.2017 (Lord, I look tired. And I was. And I am.)
- Ironed and steamed clothes most of the day, stopping to read blog posts in between, just when I thought I was done…BAM, I found a basket of more wrinkled clothes requiring my attention…thank goodness for Audible, I was able to ‘read’ a book while ironing. 10.11.2017
- My house is spic and span…spent the day finishing up my fall decorating and cleaning the house…smells fresh and clean like it used to when we had our cleaning lady Liliana. 10.12.2017
- Balanced our day between running errands and spending time with the kitties at home, hate to leave them again. 10.13.2017
Phoenix
- Six-hour drive to Phoenix, quick work-out in the gym, baseball practice for PC, cross-stitching in the sunshine for me, checked into The Shaggy Dog B&B, our tiny home for the next week…so fun! 10.14.2017
- First day of Men’s Senior Baseball League World Series with a double-header in near triple-digit temps ends with 1 win and 1 loss; dip in the hot tub before bed. 10.15.2017
- With an early morning win for the Austin Express in the books, PC and I spent the rest of the day grocery shopping to stock our Shaggy Dog frig, delighting in a therapeutic massage (my hips and back are tense from sitting on the bleachers!), working out at the gym and watching TV (PC)/blogging (moi) about the Bridging the Gap campaign back at the tiny house (love saying that). 10.16.2017
- Phoenix seems to be full on into pumpkin flavoring making satisfying one activity on my autumn bucket list a breeze: pumpkin coffee, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin cookies and we won our double-headers making for a full day of baseball. 10.17.2017
- Off to a shaky start this morning feeling hurried and harried on the way to the ball park via the gym, big win at the diamond followed by team lunch. 10.18.2017
- Massage and run at the gym before the first play-off game today which ended in a disappointing loss; shopped Fry’s grocery store (best grocery I’ve ever seen) for dinner and some cheese and wine to take back home with us. 10.19.2017
- Slept well with the windows open in the chilly evening air, up early though in anticipation of the trip home, listening to my Audible book A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner made the drive much quicker. 10.20.2017
Home, Sweet Home Again
- Nothing like waking up in your own home, in your own bed to a quiet day ahead, church and enmoladas for dinner at Barrigas. 10.21.2017
- Arms and bodies are achy from yesterday’s flu shot so lazed about in the hot tub listening to the end of A Fall of Marigolds and soaking our cares away. 10.22.2017
Back to Life
- Happy to be back at Whitaker; greeted with hugs and we missed you but a teacher’s unsympathetic dealing with one of her students in the library shattered him and disappointed me. 10.23.2017
- Back on track to our ‘normal’ with devotional, work, gym, crockpot dinner and The Voice: for the record, I have the SWEETEST sister. 10.24.2017
- Derailed: no devotional or gym; came home exhausted, PC said we could do pizza for dinner, vegged while watching the World Series. 10.25.2017 (checking out books to kinder; boxes of withdrawn books being sent to Houston libraries)
- New librarian will take over at Whitaker on 11/9, working til then. 10.26.2017
- Accomplished much at work, the library looks organized and the books are sporting AR dots, relaxing soak in the hot tub before bed. 10.27.2017
- Just when I thought we were finished with baseball for the year, there is a playoff game for PC’s over-50 league, followed by grocery shopping, picnic dinner of peel-em and eat-em shrimp, cheeses, crackers, chicken nuggets, chips and salsa, bedtime soak in the hot tub. 10.28.2017
- Quiet Sunday at home…just the way I like it, football and a crazy good World Series came…go Astros. 10.29.2017
- Back to dealing with the pool people again has me curled up on the couch tonight in a fetal position and feeling very defeated; questioning everything in my life…a complete (but honest) over-reaction! 10.30.2017
- Needed this day…earnest work began on the repairs to our pool, salvaged the pumpkin craft project I screwed up yesterday, ironed, fixed dinner, blogged, put away clothes and took pictures for an upcoming Daily Dime post…yay for ending a very long month on an upswing but prayers for the victims of our country’s latest terrorist attack in NY and their families . 10.31.2017
What a long ole month, girls. Whew.
Your Turn
Was your October a thumbs up or thumbs down? Despite a couple of gloomy days where I wallowed in weary self-pity, it was a wonderful month for me. Have worked more than I thought I would be. And that combined with 2 week-long trips made for one tired mama jama. I will finish this substitute librarian assignment next week. Hope to have a few quiet days at home before I jump back into another job.
Have you been writing a sentence a day? If so, won’t you link-up with us below?
If you haven’t started writing your sentence a day, how ’bout starting this month? Today is just the 2nd…join us and join the fun. If you don’t blog, you can still add your sentences in a comment below. Or at least the highlights of your month, maybe?
In this crazy world, where we don’t know what the next day will bring, my wish for you is more good days than bad.
[source]
Hugs and kisses,
Cindi
Your photos of your trip are wonderful. I had no idea Germany could be so delightful! Thanks for sharing.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you. I enjoyed Germany much more than France, with the exception of the beach at Nice, which was wonderful. Since PC is going to working Germany quite a bit this next spring, I am hopeful that I can tag along for another visit.
Rebecca Jo
There is something wonderful about fresh air that makes you sleep so much better.
15K steps – YAZZZAAAA – you go girl.
You make me want to pull out some cross stitch stuff & do something fun.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I was amazed at how much easier it was to cross stitch in the natural light where I could SEE what I was doing!!! Ha! Need to sit outside with it more often. Our den is so dark and even with a specially designed bright lamp, the shadows make cross stitching difficult.
Thank you…I have been picking up my steps lately and hope to reach my 10K goal more often than not but off to a lazy start today, though! It’s 9:40 and I am still in bed. Oops.
jodie filogomo
Your trip sounded so incredible Leslie!!! What a experience!!!
And that tweed jacket is gorgeous (of course I’d notice that, right?). I kinda do the same thing with ironing. Except I use a steamer and listen to my country music!!
Thanks for putting this together and I hope you are doing well!!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you. Now to remember to wear my tweed jacket. Maybe to church tonight?? It just hasn’t been cool enough for a lot of layers, unless you count AC! I love that it has so many colors and will work with so many outfits.
I so enjoyed Germany. Even the jet lag was manageable. Hoping PC will stick me in his pocket when he goes back over to work after the holidays.
I use a steamer on some of PC’s polo-type shirts but the rest of the stuff gets ironed. I am happy to report that I am fairly caught up in both departments. It is when I work a lot that the piles of ironing becomes mountainous.
Hoping to get Follow Friday off the ground this weekend. Not a lot of interest on FB. Getting ready to send out emails and try to encourage more interest. Fingers crossed.
curlycraftymom
You’ve had a full month with lots of exciting things, like your trip and all of the sites and food you gobbled up on it! That potato soup looks so good right now, but it is freezing here! I did a cleaning and decorating day yesterday, but mainly because I wanted to get the Halloween down. Hope your mom is doing ok! I am always worrying about my dad in the back of my mind!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
October was a crazy busy month. I enjoyed the traveling but it was hard trying to balance work with travel. I think I’ve decided to take a break from subbing until after the holidays. As it is we have company coming this week, a trip to Albuquerque to see Lauren the next week and a trip to Ohio and Kentucky to see our parents right after Thanksgiving. Makes me tired thinking about it.
Yesterday, I just threw some turkeys up with my other fall decorations and will leave all of it in place until Thanksgiving. I need to get busy on my Christmas garland for
the stairs. It shouldn’t take long to make but Christmas will be here any minute!
Can’t believe you guys are already having cold days. We are still in the 80s in the afternoons. I am hopeful we have some snow this winter since we had a wet summer. Not sure if that’s how things work, though.
My mom has had some ups and downs this fall but sounded good yesterday when we talked. How is your dad? We love them so much and it is hard to not worry even when things appear to be ok. Hope he is doing well.
Tamara / My Retirement Project
Germany really surprised me when we visited last year – so clean, so affordable, and so, well, civilized! We did not get to the big cities, and your time in Munich – and photos! – has me drooling to return.
what a caring teacher/librarian you are – the children you impact are so, so fortunate. (insert heart emoji here)
So sorry you had a rough month. It sounds a bit like exhaustion, or perhaps a result of those darn, declining hormones we women must battle as we get older? Try and be kind to yourself, as thankfully, they do seem to sweep on through in time. Virtual hugs being sent your way, Leslie!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Tamara, you are always so good to lift me up! I appreciate your comments and friendship.
Hopeful that when my PC returns to Germany after the first of the year, I might be able to tag along for another visit. I very much enjoyed the food, the sites and the people of Bavaria. Would like to explore the northern part of the country now.
The children I have worked with have been such a blessing to me. I am happiest when my days are full of sweet hugs from little ones. Love seeing them get excited about some little something we do together in the library. So rewarding.
I think I need a few days at home to feel back to normal. We have a couple more trips planned before Christmas but I am thinking of taking a little time away from school to baby myself a little. You spoke of hormones…I noticed my hot flashes are baaa-aaack! Oh, yay! I think you are on to something. Maybe a little self-TLC will help chase them away again.
Thank you so much, Tamara for your emails and comments. You warm my heart. XO
Natalie
Quite an active month for you, Leslie. Your trips to Germany looked delightful. Thank you for organizing the SaD link-up, and for sharing your October news and pictures. I saw the Old Irish Blessing outside a restaurant when I was in Ireland. I think it speaks to the hospitality of the Irish people.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Ireland is a country I hope to visit in the near future. My cousin married an Irish woman whose family still lives there. The family has a castle which they have turned into some sort of bed and breakfast. Cannot imagine someone having a castle. Anyway, would love to visit Ireland and their castle B&B.
Whitney @ Whitney à la mode
I’m so envious of your Germany travels! Thank you for including the slide shows so I could live vicariously through you! And you were quite the busy woman this month. I know that the holidays are usually crazy but hopefully you’ll find some time to recharge this month!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you for taking a moment to watch the slideshows of my holiday to Germany. Oh, it was wonderful. Hoping to figure out a way to get PC to let me go back again when he returns there for work after the new year. Would like to see Italy, Spain and Ireland, too. And I guess, since my family is something like 90% British, I should visit the ‘old country’!!
I need some time to recharge so thinking of not working between now and Christmas to rest and re-energize. So excited to read about your move! We are going to need pictures of your new nest! I couldn’t be happier for you, Whitney. You guys are adorable together.
Jo Tracey
Aaaah travelling is fabulous, but there’s no place like home. As for the doubts? They rear their nasty little heads too often some months, don’t they? Wishing you a fab November. Oh, I meant to say, I just read your philly cheesesteak recipe because it’s something completely foreign to us down under.
Jamie Moore
Man, you DID have a crazy busy month! I hope this one is a little better. And I love that Irish Blessing!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
November has been quieter and kinder so far. I am hoping to have some time off from subbing. Just feel like I haven’t had a free moment to call my own. So glad you are joining us for these link-ups, friend!!
Sheila DelCharco
I always love reading your monthly summaries! My month flew by with our 2 week trip to Spain! Looking forward to my parents’ return and getting some work done around the house!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
We have a number of various sized projects to tackle, too. Want to have the house painted outside but the painter has been very noncommittal about giving us a definite date to start. He is finally coming Tuesday to talk over the specifics.
We have at least two more quick trips before Christmas. Then hope to be able to stay put for a bit. Sure enjoyed the photos of your trip to Spain.
Em
What a busy beautiful month!
Thank you for sharing your trip…my boys studied German throughout high school so it’s always been on our someday list.
Sounds like you had a few days of overwhelmed and overtired. Hope you were able to leave them behind… you may not know your “purpose” yet but you certainly share your light with ppl you’ve never met. (Eg., you made one of my days this month). Kindness is completely underrated!!!
Debs
Wow, that was a busy month! Even though Germany is just a quick hop across the English Channel for us, I’ve only ever been there once when we went to Cologne for the Christmas markets. A much shorter journey than yours!
I hope your last few days in the job go smoothly and it won’t take long for you to find what your next chapter will hold.
Nikki Gwin
Leslie, I understand the doubts and should I’s. I get overwhelmed with all the things I don’t know about blogging and wonder if I should even continue. But I want you to know what an inspiration you have been to me. Thanks so much for all you do.
I love your trips and I love traveling. I hope to be able to do more of it before we get too decrepit.
🙂 gwingal
Leslie Roberts Clingan
YOU are so kind! Thank you for your words of support. I am hoping that a little down time away from work will renew this weary body and soul. I started this silly blogging adventure to fill my idle hours after retirement. Ha, now I am almost as busy as I ever was when working full time. I need to remember that this is something I am doing for fun and when it gets to be work, then I can re-evaluate.
We are feeling decrepitness sneaking into all our joints these days. Especially when the weather changes. We are better at predicting a cold snap than the meteorologists. Would like to do more traveling, too, before our bodies lock up for good!
Thank you again, Nikki. XO
amy
Your Germany trip looks like it was amazing. I love the tweed jacket! Those are so hard to find.
Terri Webster Schrandt
Your European vacation sounds wonderful…one of these days, I will get there! My hubby has visited several times and speaks the language. Always love your SAD posts, Leslie!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Germany was fabulous. And now that my PC is returning in the spring, I am thinking I should begin playing the lottery so maybe we can afford for me to join him again then. Fingers crossed.
Thank you for stopping by.
Andrea@WellnessNotes
I’m glad that you enjoyed Germany! 🙂 And I loved all the photos! Very nice!
Sorry about the not-so-good moments of the month. Sending a big hug! My October was one of the most unsettled months in my life. Here is to hoping that November will be better for both of us! 🙂
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, I did love Germany so much!! The food, the people, the sites. Hoping PC invites me to join him again when he returns in the spring.
October was yuck in many ways. Such a great adult adjective…YUCK. But November has been refreshingly better. From rain comes rainbows, right?
Thinking of you.
Sarah @ Foxy's Domestic Side
Seems like traveling was the theme of this months link up! Everyone was going to such great places…perhaps I need to get out more, haha. Yay for sentence a day! Ugh to more pool problems such a drag, hopefully they can get it fixed? Soon? Thanks for always putting the sentence a day together! I appreciate you!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Yay for traveling but bigger YAY for being home. There was a lot of travel in October’s sentences across the board. Love this link-up and being inspired by women like you. I treasure you, Sarah. XO