Hello, my friends.
I’m so glad this week is over. I’m also happy that for the second time in a row I have a free weekend. (Prior to these past two weekends we were so swamped!) This week K has been off on business, so I’ve been flying solo. And since the Grinch was away this elf was at play 🙂 I started listening to Christmas music this week and I’ve mostly transformed our house from spooky graveyard to winter wonderland.
(I know some folks out there feel like Thanksgiving gets the short end of the stick when it comes to people like me. Not true, guys. My dining room table has a festive little fall centerpiece and I fully welcome Turkey-Day in the whole “holiday season” club. I get the same thankful, joyful vibe all through November and December, so I’m not going to fight the urge. No harm in decorating the mantel and hanging the stockings.)
In November I try to establish some kind of social media thankful-post. This year I’m sharing a weekly Instagram pic that sums up a few things I’m thankful for each week. I’ve done blog posts and Facebook statuses in the past, but I think I prefer the weekly post (vs. daily) and I enjoy sharing a picture from my week!
I’m still not ready to talk about the election. I deactivated my FB this week because I’m upset and I just need to avoid the gloating/hate/fear/anger/sadness. I’m worried about the next four years. I will never quietly tolerate xenophobia, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, or racism. I know a lot of people feel the same way, but I’m just not ready to talk about this.
Ok, so I promised some favorites from the blog-world. Here they are:
- There’s no shame in my Christmastime game. Here are some free printables!
- Wednesday morning was hard, but Chelsea’s post really helped me.
- It took a lot of courage for Amanda to write this post. I’d say my outlook is very similar to hers in terms of this material world.
- Emma posted this reminder before our clustercuss of an election, but now it resonates even deeper with me ❤︎
- Yes, please. I’ll take one (or four) of everything here! Thanks, Taylor!
I hope you have a fantastic weekend! Like I said, I’m 100% plan-less, but that doesn’t mean I won’t end up in Columbus or Indianapolis for a few hours this weekend. Who knows? 🙂
Life as Louise 
I’m not allowed to decorate until December but I’ve been stitching cards since July so I’m actually okay with not having to see Christmas all around me every time I look up 😉
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My husband isn’t keen on the early decorations, but he HATES the Halloween decor, so he’s usually ok with the premature shift 🙂
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I will hop over to read these favorites of yours.
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Hope you enjoy!
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How close are you to Indianapolis????? I’m like 2 hours away from there!…. GIRRRLLLLLL… we may have to do a meet up there! 🙂
Oh sweet friend. Take heart. Dont let the election overwhelm you. I think the results are so much more than what everyone thinks – racism, bigotry, hatred. I hate people are focusing on the MAN instead of the policies. There is no way Trump is going to turn half of America against him. NO way. I always try to remember myself – the President is ONE MAN. He cant do anything alone. It will all be OK. Have faith. Pray. Chin up! 🙂
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I’m actually about 4 and a half hours from Indy, but I swear anything under 8 hour is considered a “quick drive” for us 😉 K was in Indy for a trade show so I was thinking about heading over on Friday and spending time there on Saturday. I ended up staying home, though.
Thank you for the kind words, friend 🙂 I hope all my fears are unwarranted. Definitely relying on prayer!
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I agree about the election and have also considered deactivating FB for a little while. It would probably make coming to terms with the outcome a little easier. And I really agree about the Thanksgiving/Christmas dilemma! I wish we could have all the decorations out and celebrate both. I love them both equally but Thanksgiving doesn’t have the movies and songs so you can’t really celebrate leading up to it like you can for Christmas.
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I still have FB deactivated and I just told K that I’m SO bored when I get on my phone! Haha! I’ve been so productive, though, so I’m going to leave it that way for a while 🙂
I finished up the Christmas decorations today (except the tree- I’ll wait until Dec. for that) and I just couldn’t get myself to put the pumpkins away yet…. So my house is half and half.
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although i’m not american, i’ve avoided all FB posts and most blogs/IGs because of all the drama and awfulness. here’s hoping that he will set things straight and do as hillary says – give him a chance to lead.
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I just need to be able to get things straight in my head. I read a few blog posts and saw some IG posts, but I’m perfectly happy with not logging into FB this week.
I am very, very hopeful that my concern is misplaces and unwarranted. Time will tell, I s’pose.
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I don’t understand people who get angry towards those that put up their Christmas stuff in November. I like to use Christmas and Thanksgiving to enhance each other and experience the joy and spirit for as long as possible. If it makes someone happy, who cares how early they bring it out???? You know? I plan on getting my stuff up this weekend, energy permitting.
I have stayed off facebook and twitter this week because it makes me sick to see both sides spewing hate at each other. It is disgusting and I wish they would take that negative energy and channel it in to something better.
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Sheesh- if Christmas music and decorations and shopping and baking makes me happy, then just let me be happy. Haha. I hope you were successful with your decorating this weekend!!
I just needed to sort stuff out on my own, ya know? I will never NOT be passionate, but I will be open-minded and hopeful and patient, I guess. We’ll see how this goes…
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I’ve been avoiding Facebook since Tuesday evening. I just can’t. My grandma has likely been rocking Christmas music since September. 🙂 And now that you mentioned playing it – I going to do it too. It never use to be my jam but a couple years ago, I started playing some and it made me feel good. And I need all the feel-goods I can get! And hooray for plan-free weekends!
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Yes for Christmas music. It just changes the mood of an entire house or office! Our decorations went up this weekend (except the tree)! Seeing the house all cozy instantly makes me happy 🙂
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I’ve been depressed this week and your post made me smile I think for the first time.
I love a good Christmas printable so thanks for sharing! I love to make my own gift tags. Also, I totally agree that Thanksgiving is all part of the holiday season. I’ve got some pumpkin decor going on but that doesn’t mean we can’t also be getting ready for Christmas. Thanksgiving is my number 1 favorite holiday because I love the idea of coming together and being thankful and eating a lot of food. But I also love that it kicks off the holiday season.
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I’m glad I could make you smile 🙂 I’ll try to do it more often in the next 4 years ❤
My house is now 80% Christmas and 20% pumpkins/fall decor. Haha. I'll keep my pumpkins up until Thanksgiving and then it's ALL OUT CHRISTMAS!
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Yay for Christmas decorating! I think there is nothing wrong with decorating “early” as long as it makes you happy. 🙂
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I definitely feel a little cozier and happier in my house now 🙂
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I wasn’t ready for Christmas yet, but the election results gave me a huge urge to watch The Family Stone (because 1. That family is amazing and so not bigots and that’s just what I need right now, 2. I get to cry 3. It’s probably my favorite Christmas movie). And now I’m more feeling the Christmas spirit just from wanting to watch that. I dunno.
Have a great free weekend!
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I LOVE The Family Stone! I cry every single time I watch it, multiples times per viewing. It’s amazing. I’ve been listening to Christmas music this weekend and I pulled out my decorations, so I’m started to feel a little better- at least in the confines of my house 🙂
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My husband is big on waiting until after Thanksgiving before starting Christmas things, but I did turn on some carols this week while I cooked dinner! 🙂 Clicking on all those links you shared right now! 🙂
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K is a Christmas Grinch so it doesn’t matter if I decorated this weekend or waited until December 1st. I went with this weekend 🙂
Hope you enjoyed some of the links!
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This weekend I broke out the Christmas music and movies! Hoping next week to break out the Christmas decorations. Glad I’m not the only one to be getting into the spirit early!
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Nah, girl! Break it out! I feel so happy to have some Christmas cheer in my house 🙂
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I don’t even decorate haha! So I think the Holidays are faring better in your world haha! Not that Thanksgiving is in my holiday repertoire being British. It’s easier to just skip everything 🙂
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Oh man… I couldn’t do that 🙂 I know the husband would be just as happy to have no decorations, but that’s just not how I do it 😉
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um yes on all of the election stuff. 😦 Trying to avoid it, but it’s so tough, and it’s so nasty. I wake up and remember with new anxiety even if I made peace with it (as best I could) before going to bed. So heartbreaking. Going to try to enjoy Thanksgiving… hoping for no family drama… but you never know due to that first topic there… KC and I want to take some of our hurt and worry and turn it into a gratitude project that benefits folks and organizations that might be harmed due to election stuff. We’ll see how it goes. XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
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I like your and KC’s gratitude project! That’s a really clever idea! We just have to keep putting good in the world. I hope your thanksgiving is enjoyable! I come from a pretty conservative family so I’m praying for zero conflict….
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