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November 6, 2017

Where Did the Year Go?

30 Comments/ 16/ 2

Seriously.  Where did 2017 go?  I know that I had a good chunk of the summer taken out with travel to Croatia for Micah and Wendy’s wedding but honestly — I am left wondering where the heck the rest of the year went.

Chris looked at his calendar the other night and figured he had spent about half of the nights so far this year at home.  It certainly seems like it has been less.  Travel for work is draining and we are both looking forward to our Christmas get away where he will really be able to relax and not be traveling like a maniac.  And did I mention beach?  Yes!  Another beach trip.

Today’s post is a peek into my life at the moment so stick with me, please.


What I am reading.

Anything and everything.  Favorite blog to read right now is Sean of the South.

On my nightstand When We Were Sisters by Emilie Richards

Last book I read that I loved :  The Dark Lake by Sarah Bailey

Continuously reading:  My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers

 

What I am listening to.

 Podcasts :  Sean of the South (amazing to hear it as well as read it),  The Moth, This American Life

Music:  Anything from the 70’s

 

What I am watching .

Catching up on Scandal, This is Us and binge watching Vera on Acorn TV.  And if I am honest my guilty pleasure of watching Dance Moms.  Only because Micah had a chance encounter at the airport with Dance Mom Melissa and now Miss Erin and I are hooked on the drama.  Don’t judge. Please.

 

What I am doing.

Blowing leaves and pine needles daily.  The driveway looks nice for a minute.

A fairly clean driveway with the exception of some stray pine cones. This thing is ALWAYS covered in leaves and pine needles but it is somehow a bit therapeutic to spend time blowing it clean.

 

What I am looking forward to.

 Short trip to Houston for company board meeting which translates to  two days of exploring and shopping while Chris is in meetings,  visit by my bestie Ann and doing a Vintage Christmas Crawl, quick trip to Ohio with Aaron and Erin and Chris to see family, and of course Thanksgiving.

What I am writing.

Blog posts and letters.  I have not even shared much from our August trip to Croatia and Paris.  I think life got in the way or something.  Hopefully I will get some of those posts written because I have so many wonderful images to share with my readers.

What I am looking at. 

What I am excited about.

My mom’s 88th birthday which is November 10th.  If anyone wants to send her a card let me know in the comments and I will get her address to you.  I know she would love a card shower again.

Comments for a Cause for November is Free Rein which is just down the road from where I live.  Check out my post here and comment often this month. Each comment on any post means a 50 cent donation to Free Rein.

Tell me what you are reading, listening to, looking at, writing, whatever.   I would love to read all about your world.

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30 Comments

Leave a comment
  1. Bernadette
    November 06, 2017 at 06:28 am

    I am totally in love with the show This Is Us. Doesn’t it remind you for Thirty Something?

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 06, 2017 at 08:44 am

      YES! And I think that is why I love it so much. That was another really great show. It’s nice when there are actually network shows that make you want to watch them.

      Reply
  2. Virginia
    November 06, 2017 at 06:56 am

    I love this peak into your life! I love This is Us! Leslie is a huge Dance Mom fan, so no judgment here! We listened to 70s music for most of our trip back from Oregon. And I’m listening to a lot of Lecrae these days! And also to podcasts by Henri Nouwen. I think you would like him. We have a lot to look forward to here – Leslie will be home from Oregon for Christmas. Allison and Kyle are expecting their first baby – in Australia! A bub! And Mitchell and Lea may be getting engaged at some future time.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 06, 2017 at 08:42 am

      Oh I can see that Leslie would be a Dance Mom fan. Micah met Melissa in the airport when she asked to pet Penny–they used to have a Corgi. 🙂 I need to look up the Henri Nouwen podcast! I love him so I am sure his podcasts would be amazing. thanks for the tip!

      Reply
  3. Virginia
    November 06, 2017 at 06:57 am

    It should have said peek, not peak!!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 06, 2017 at 08:41 am

      🙂

      Reply
  4. dawnkinster
    November 06, 2017 at 07:20 am

    Would love to send your mom a card. I have not watched any of This is Us. It’s on Tuesdays and I have band. I loved Thirty Somethibg tho so maybe I should try. Am reading a Elizabeth Berg but can’t remember the title and if I get up to check the dog will get all wound up again
    So I won’t.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 06, 2017 at 08:41 am

      I loved Thirty Something, too! That was a real show, wasn’t it? I like Elizabeth Berg as well but I can never ever remember titles. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Jena
    November 06, 2017 at 07:56 am

    Fun post. I would love to send your mom a card! Binge watching shows is a blast. I watched The Crown- wonderful- Season 2 starts in December- yay! While waiting for that i watched the first season of Victoria so I’m an Anglophile now. Glad you have fun things to look forward to!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 06, 2017 at 08:40 am

      I watched Janet King which I bet you would like as well. Any of those British shows draw me in. I have not watched The Crown yet but it is on my list!

      Reply
  6. Minnesota Prairie Roots
    November 06, 2017 at 09:48 am

    YES to sending your mom a birthday card.

    Question: What is a Vintage Christmas Crawl? That sounds like something i would enjoy.

    “This Is Us” is my favorite TV show along with “Shark Tank.”

    I’m just starting a murder mystery by John Sandford. Otherwise I’ve been busy prepping for the Local Authors Fair on Thursday.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 06, 2017 at 11:18 am

      Address emailed to you and I am with you on “This is Us”. Such a great show. I haven’t read a John Sanford for awhile but I have one of his in my LFL right now unless someone has taken it. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Rachel E
    November 06, 2017 at 10:12 am

    Would love to send a birthday card to your mom.

    You have me hooked on another great writer to follow, thank you again. It’s always a treat to read your blog and find out something new, interesting and captivating.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 06, 2017 at 11:06 am

      Thanks so much, Rachel. I really appreciate the sweet comment. I never know if people “get” me but your comment made me feel like at least one person does! Will send you my mom’s address in a bit.

      Reply
  8. Val - Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids
    November 06, 2017 at 10:34 am

    Love the update! It has been quite the year for you so far and sounds like there is a lot more fun still ahead 🙂

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 06, 2017 at 11:05 am

      Thanks, Val. It has been a very busy year. No wonder I feel like I can’t get anything done. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  9. Mama's Empty Nest
    November 06, 2017 at 10:35 am

    Fun read! I am so far behind in watching This Is Us – yes, it’s a great show and it’s set in my favorite city, Pittsburgh! I certainly won’t judge you for Dance Moms because my one guilty TV pleasure is Dancing With the Stars. Happy Birthday to your Mom!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 06, 2017 at 11:02 am

      There are a lot of This is Us fans out there. It is such a great show. I have never gotten into Dancing with the Stars — but I imagine it is a lot less drama than Dance Moms. 🙂

      Reply
  10. Susi
    November 06, 2017 at 11:30 am

    I feel the same way. This year has just flown by. I say that every year but this year it feels more so than others… This is a great post idea!!!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 06, 2017 at 11:37 am

      Thanks, Susi. I do not know where this year has gone. It is ridiculous!!! But oh well. We will embrace it and be happy, right?

      Reply
  11. Darlene
    November 06, 2017 at 12:21 pm

    It has been a busy year for some reason. A wedding can take up a huge chunk of your life though. I would love to send your mom a card. My mom will be 89 December 25. Incredible. I’m reading A Parrot in a Pepper Tree by Chris Stewart. It is the sequel to Driving Over Lemons, a book that inspired us to move to Spain. I too feel like I’m playing catch up lately. Just returned from a few days in Liverpool. And I wanted a quiet life in Spain!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 08, 2017 at 09:19 pm

      You really do not seem to lack for things to do or places to go since you have moved. But what a great move it has been for you guys and I love reading about all of your adventures as well. I have not heard of either of those books so must add them to my ever growing list!

      Reply
  12. Dianna
    November 06, 2017 at 09:39 pm

    You are a busy lady! Your Christmas beach trip isn’t bringing you to the Outer Banks, is it? If not, hope that can happen one day!
    Would love to send your mom a card (although at this point, it might be belated….) You can PM me her address!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 08, 2017 at 09:17 pm

      We are hoping for an Outer Banks trip in May. When we firm something up I will be letting you know for sure! I can’t wait to meet IRL!

      Reply
  13. My Odd Family
    November 06, 2017 at 10:11 pm

    Just watched the Warren Buffet Documentary. So good. When his wife-ish Susie tells the story of him bringing her a colander when she was about to throw up and then going back for a baking sheet when she pointed out the flaws in his plan–I just cracked up. It was just such a different time and he is fascinating. And I can remember traveling from Paris to London on the Ferry and being so sea sick. I asked my dad to bring me some crackers or toast and he came back with a tuna sandwich. Men. Love them.
    I have moved from project to project over the last 9 months and have decided to take a breather. No new projects until spring or at least January :-D. Catch up time.
    Reading Practical Magic (Alice Hoffman). I may have liked the first book better (Rules of Magic) but I really like the Alice Hoffman so more of her books are on my reading list.
    I don’t watch much or really any television but Cole hooked me on baking shows—first the British Baking show and now Zumbo’s Just Desserts (an aussie baking show) and it’s FUN! And I like being able to watch all the way through. Netflix
    My plan is to write more (I miss it dreadfully) and organize pictures. I joined ViewBug and SmugMug months ago and just started updating them.
    I love Houston. The first big city I ever lived in. Love the travel reports–living vicariously. And fall despite the fallout..is my favorite season.
    Card will be in the mail!

    Reply
    1. My Odd Family
      November 06, 2017 at 10:13 pm

      We went to Ohio—This comment is worth a $1.00

      Reply
      1. Beth Ann Chiles
        November 08, 2017 at 09:15 pm

        At least $1!!!

        Reply
    2. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 08, 2017 at 09:16 pm

      You are the best. I felt like I was back in Ohio as I read this comment for some reason. Love ya mean it!

      Reply
  14. priscillaking
    November 08, 2017 at 10:23 am

    Nice prompt, thanks…if I sent a real card it wouldn’t get there by Friday, but please feel free to send her a nice picture and call it a postcard from me. I wish happy birthdays to all active people over 80!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      November 08, 2017 at 09:11 pm

      Thanks Priscilla!!!

      Reply

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