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.
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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
Leanne | www.crestingthehill.com.au
Hi Leslie – you certainly sound like you’ve had a good and productive Autumn. I don’t have any activities to check off, but I have been occupying myself gainfully with some creative projects, blogging, birthdaying, socialising, and generally enjoying life and all that it has to offer.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Good for you!! Your season sounds enjoyable. I really delight in the craft projects my sister and I do together. We just finished our Christmas tree today.
Jill
Your hike on the tin mines trail sounds so cool! I’ve always been intrigued by color classes. Can’t wait to hear more about yours! We are getting together coats, blankets, and more to donate. I’m horrible at Instagram reels and will check out the link you shared. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Happy Thanksgiving, beautiful!! I just hate the sound of my voice on recordings. I feel so dumb rambling on about nothing!! But some gals do it so easily. Hope this video will help us both.
Gail
Well done on the tin mine trail – it took me back to when I was a kid, and we used to explore an abandoned tungsten mine. Congrats also on the lifetime weight loss. It’s a never ending battle isn’t it! On the color analysis, I would say that your amazing eyes would make you a bright/clear. If you’re warm toned, that would translate to a Spring. I think the spring brights would really make your eyes pop. I’m not an expert though.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the color analysis. I really felt like I could go a number of ways. I do have warm tones. Will checkout spring bright!!
Dara
It looks like you’re doing great!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Yup, thank you!! On my way!!
Nancy
That sounds like a great trail! Very exciting. I did a colour analyse a few years ago and really learned a lot from it!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I probably need to delve deeper into color analysis but I think I can say I am an autumn.
ShootingStarsMag
You’ve crossed off quite a few items! That’s great. My Fall Bucket List is coming along okay. I need to make one for the Holiday season though.
Lauren
Donna Connolly
Congratulations on these accomplishments, Leslie. Donating blankets/warm clothes and food, especiially at this time of year, is so important. I just donated to our local food drive. Thank you for the reminder about the blankets.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you for making a food donation. I need to do that, too. It takes a village these days to keep our community cared for.
Deb
You’re doing great! I keep contemplating getting my colours ‘done’ and am interested to see what your results showed.
How exciting to see pictures of the baby shower, not long to wait now 🙂
Did that mine walk go far underground? Although I have been inside a couple of caves when we were in the Canary Islands, I’m not keen on being so far underground with no sign of daylight so I’m not sure I would be keen to join you on that hike!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Sweet friend, I hadn’t really thought about how deep into the ground the mine went. I would say not more than maybe ten feet down but maybe not even that. At least the part where we were able to explore. They had the deepest veins of the mine cordoned off with metal railing but we were able to use our flashlights to see down into them.
Brennyn and her family have been sick since last week. First Brennyn, then Mustafa and now Cady. It has been a long 7 days. Brennyn had an OB appointment today and the baby is looking bigger. He was at the 22nd percentile which was a little worrisome but today he was measuring the 40th percentile. I was a huge baby, my girls were pretty big, too. We aren’t going to know what to do with a small baby!!
Joanne
I think you are doing a great job on your lists! I hope things settled down with your mom and sick family members. I too tend to lose my focus when life gets nutty.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, Joanne, today has been so hard with mom. I have cried, dried my tears and cried again. Old age is no fun. Thank you for cheering me on.
Marsha Banks
Leslie, I need to just screen shot your post! Then, I could adapt it to me! I keep thinking about joining WW for the umpteenth time. I wish they would pick a program and just stick with it! I find the newest iterations to be not as good for me. I totally get the whole getaway thing! We are just not short trip takers. But, with Covid (monster that it is), we have been trying to find little getaways with only a night or two away. But, gosh! Those little getaways add up so fast! Still, they are good for the soul. I am going to have to go back up in your blog and reread the part about creative writing. I HATED teaching creative writing to fourth graders! We had such a prescripted way to do it! But, I don’t mind writing. I need something to make me write! Oh, if you’ve made it this far in my response, I’ll be impressed. You just need to move to Indiana! We would be besties, I know it!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I absolutely think WW is the best program for real people who eat real food. You can eat anything you want. It is just about balance. You get extra points for walking, drinking water and eating your veggies. We came through Thanksgiving actually losing weight and yet we enjoyed the pie, the stuffing and the wine!! Please give it a try. We just do the online program, and so we track our points on our phones or computers. $21.00 a month. And you can cancel whenever you want.
Love the idea of being besties with you!! We would have a grand time. My daughter’s ex-husband, with whom we are all still on good terms, is from Indiana, I think Milan, Indiana. Very rural area. Pretty.
Come do some writing with me. Check out the creative writing book and then maybe we can pick a prompt and each write a response and share it on our blogs. See what you think.
Hope you can fit in a few getaways over the holidays. We are going to be out of town over 2 weeks in total – 2 week-long trips. But not vacations. After New Years, I hope we can escape for a real getaway.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment!!
Amy Johnson
Wow! That mine hike sounds incredible!
Danielle+Park
Leslie that hike looked soooo fun. Great pictures! I know this time of year is extra stressful for you especially in regards to your mama. Hang in there friend. You will have a new little baby to snuggle soon.
Kudos for hosting PC’s team. It’s hard to do things out of our comfort zones. I am looking forward to the ornament exchange. Such a fabulous idea. Thank you for always inviting me to join. I appreciate your friendship.
Dani
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you for being such a dear friend. I so enjoy following along with your sweet family, even your sister and your mom and dad. Hope I never come across like a crazy stalker!! You are just pretty special to me!! Always glad to team up for things with you.
Laura Bambrick
I used to love going to White Sands! That mine trail sounds like so much fun!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I love that you know about White Sands and have been there. Super cool place.
Kathrine Eldridge
So much goodness in this post! That trail looks amazing and loving that writing class you are doing. I am doing something similar with art journaling this month.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you so much. Art journaling sounds like something I would love!! Please share more!!
Veronica Lee
Congrats on your accomplishments.
That mine hike sounds awesome!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
It was pretty strenuous but a lot of fun.
Christie Hawkes
Hello dear friend. I am sorry to hear of your challenges this month. The nice thing about blogging is you can jump in and out as it suits your needs. We’ll always be here waiting for you. I’m glad things are looking up. Ticking off five things on your list in a crazy month like you’ve had is pretty impressive…and those five things sound amazing. I love the cave hike and the wine tasting. I wished we lived closer to each other, I’d make you take me along on some of your adventures. Enjoy your trip to meet your new grandbaby!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you for the sweet words. I am so behind on everything. Don’t know if I will ever catch up!!