What I've Learned in November

November is done.  Kaput.  I mean, there is one teensy little day left, and its kind of a big deal, seeing as it is the birthday of a very dear friend, but honestly, I'm not planning on learning anything tomorrow, and so I feel like I can go ahead and compile my list now.  Here's what I've learned:

1.  Babies don't speak English.  No seriously, think about this with me.  Its not just that they can't speak, or that they can't move independently or that they're quiet by nature.  No.  They seriously have no idea what is going on.  This was an epiphany for me.  When I say "No, Riley, don't throw your food, eat it" and she smiles at me, she's not being diabolical.  She has no idea what I just said. I could have said "J'ai perdu mon vache sur la montagne" and it would have meant about the same to her.  I'm still wrapping my head around all of the ramifications of this one.  That blank stare she gives me?  Suddenly appropriate.

2. Boiling water to make smells (this post might make more sense) is both less and more dangerous than lighting a candle.  I'm a big candle fan, myself, but the whole "put some fancy pants stuff in a pot and boil it" was appealing to me.  Until I let the water boil down.  Word of caution - don't do that.

3. I can prepare an entire Thanksgiving Feast by myself.  I'd also prefer to not do it again, at least not by myself, and not before March sometime.  Having someone there with you to do the prep work is at least half of the fun, and I'm definitely getting some sous chefs for next year!

4. Every fight doesn't have to be resolved.  Usually, when Handsome & I have a tiff, it is because I have a lot of feelings going haywire, and I need to vent my feelings.  Usually that isn't enough for me, and I prod him and poke him until he gives me some response back, any response.  I tried a few new tactics last week, and I was able to voice my feelings, (mostly) respectfully, and then be done with it.  We haven't mentioned it since.  I'm not sure if it will come up.  I really don't even know what sort of glue is holding this truce together, but I'll take it.  We have peace and kindness, and it is somehow working.

5. Aldi's roses bloom wildly.  Very impressed, Aldi.

6.  Now I know why I keep the "no Christmas music until after Thanksgiving" rule.  I threw it out the window this year, and unfortunately, I threw the "get excited and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" tradition out with it.  It wasn't so crucial to hear my first Christmas music come from the television, since I'd already been blasting it from the speakers of my car.  Never again.

Hopefully I've learned more than this, but this is all I've got today.  It is time to usher in the season of advent. A season of expectant waiting and celebration.  I'm hoping to intentionally focus on God's gift to mankind, and our gifts to others, during these next 4 weeks.  I'm also hoping to polish off the remaining Thanksgiving leftovers in the same period of time.

Peace & love, my friends.  Let the Christmas season begin!

<3 M.