"No" November (or NOvember)

 I went digging through some older posts from past years to find where I have talked about No-November in the past but I have yet to find anything.  Yet, I am positive that I wrote about it before - maybe I just mentioned in a goal post . . .. I have no idea.  

Several years ago I read/heard about the idea of "No-November" and really liked the concept.  Now, that are several versions but mine is pretty simple; say "no" to anything not already planned or on the calendar related to events and money!  I can remember that the reason this was inspiring to me was that we had been so extremely busy in September and October that I just wanted things to stop.  I felt like our time was overwhelmed and our money was running through a sieve! I wanted it all to stop; to snuggle in as the colder weather arrive; to save instead of spend.  It really put some things in perspective.  

My family cringes a little when I say, "Guess what month it is???" LOL  They all no exactly what I'm talking about.  Last week I said something about it and Nate responded with, I have a few things to talk to you about and get on the calendar before Saturday :-)  He knows the drill!  Even though my instant answer is no to everything, there are things that come up that do get a "yes" such a friends birthday party.  After all, I'm not really THAT mean!!  It does mean no last minute stopping to grab something to eat, or to treat myself to my favorite coffee.  Those are things that get a hard and fast no!  

Will we still do things?  That answer is yes.  Our Co-Op has its Presentation Night this week plus the drama.  My guys are heading off to a weekend retreat the weekend after that as well.  But I do say no to things like field trips and unplanned extra events.  This helps limit gas money and the need to grab a "treat".  

Spending is the bigger item.  I try to limit any extra spending.  We live super tight anyway (super duper tight!!) but it's crazy how those little $5.00 stops add up.  (Even things like adding my $0.99 box of popcorn from Meijer when I stop for gas adds up over a month - I know, a silly example but you get the idea). This time of year always seems to want money (yes, I did just type that and it is true - just think about it)  With Birthdays and Christmas; plus all the extra events for the holidays - youth group parties, friend parties, get togethers and more.  It is so easy to spend yourself crazy!  I work hard to find some fun free things to do for holiday fun or create our own fun at home.  

I recently updated our November calendar on the fridge and the comment from everyone was "Wow, that is so empty!" then came, "Lets keep it that way".  I'm trying my dear family, I'm trying! 

MercyMe - Heartbroken Hallelujah (Official Music Video)

Our weekly snapshot

 Here's a lok back at our week.  

The Drama Club at our Co-op is getting ready for their play which is coming up soon!  Nate has a lead roll and is enjoying it very much. 

Friday was our last day of our Co-Op for the semester so I took photos of my Joyful classing. . . jumping for joy.  I thought I'd share these too for your enjoyment.  

Josh got to go up front this week to celebrate his birthday.  It's always fun to get to sing Happy Birthday! 

Halloween Costumes!  This year both guys went with friends, seperatly HA!  I'm glad they have great friends to hang out and have fun with. 

Our final pumpkins - Joshes is the one on top, Nate did the "6,7" pumpkin and Darryl's (I mean OURS) is the other one.  

We even managed to squeeze in some pumpkin carving this week even though our evenings had been full.  Yes, three pumpkins - Darryl and I shared HA!  A local market had theirs marked down to 3 pumpkins for $10.00 so that is what we got!  

Weekly Menu

 BOO!  Don't be scared - it is November HA!  It is time to start thinking all things holiday and enjoy the next two months with food, fun, and family.  (Not that we don't always enjoy those three things - but the holidays bring about something different!) 

Friday - It is Halloween!  I'm not about all the spooky stuff but getting free candy is always good.  I believe both of my guys have plans to hang out with friends for Halloween.  So, with that in mind I'm not really sure what is happening for dinner.  I think they are planning to head to friends houses by about 4:00 so Darryl and I may just pick up something simple.  

Saturday - Dinner at my mom's 

Sunday - Spaghetti and Rolls 

Monday - Spaghetti Carbonara 

Tuesday - French toast, bacon, and sausage 

Wednesday - Youth Group

Thursday - Potato and ham soup 

Misc. Musings

 Years ago, when I started my blog, I would post "Misc. Musings" periodically.  It's not anything specific - just some miscellaneous things. 

-- I realize I've posted recipe posts over the past few months with photos but no recipes.  Oops!  I was trying to do a recipe post a few times a month so I would take a photo and put it in the blog post and then forgot to come back and add the recipe.  I'll try to do better.  HA! 

-- I realize that I haven't done updated posts on my Joyful class this year.  No reason outside of taking time to add photos and links for our activities.  I hope to do one post soon with all of the info from our semester. 

--After a very hot and humid summer . .. and spring . .. and fall . . .I am enjoying a much cooler forecast and, yes, I have also enjoyed the rain and thunder storms we have had this past week. The "grumpy" skies with the breakthrough of sun are just amazing this time of year.  There is not any haze in the air from humidity so the blues are super crisps and the grays are low hanging and deep.  I AM thankful that all of the precipitation we received was in the form of rain; I am not really for a snow storm yet :-) 

--Last week my computer got "hi jacked" by some website; it was screaming at me; I was not happy at all.  Josh ran some security check and took care of it for me but it still took me 3 days to even try to log back in or go online.  Thankfully everything seems to be fine and working like it should. 

--I'm pretty happy with what I've been accomplishing with my goals.  Granted the last two weeks have been super busy so I had to put my "schedule" aside and instead just take care of the day to day things.  I'm looking forward to things really slowing down with the next week.  Weekends seem to be busy (or my kids are busy HA!) but the weekdays are not.  School, School, and more School needs to happen during the day! 

-- Saying that I have a 17 year old now is weird.  It seems so different than 16.  He's an awesome 17 year old, though, and I'm thankful he is ours. 

-- Nate will be testing for his 2nd Don (Black Belt) in December.  I've really enjoyed seeing him improve by leaps and bounds this past year.  The Grand Master (the highest TKD instructor in his type of TKD) has taken in interest in him which is great.  He would like to train Nate which is quite the compliment.  

-- I have started a prayer journal recently.  I haven't done that since it was required in a class for college.  I wanted to challenge myself to write down the things I say I will pray for as well as my own requests and then also write down the answers so I can look back after a year and really see what God has done.  Is it perfect? No.  Do I always remember to write things down? No.  So I'm also working on not being a perfectionist with it too. 

--For now, I think that's all of my misc. musings.  :-)  

Left It In The River (Lyrics) | Jamie MacDonald

This was a new one to me that I heard on our local Christian Station while working on my blog :-)  It's upbeat and catchy! 

Our weekly snapshot

 Sometimes Friday evenings are just busy so I don't get chance to upload photos until sometime on Saturday and that was the case this week!  Nate went to a Football game and takes my phone so he can call us when the game is done and then he had friends over after the game.  So a busy Friday!  Anyway, here is a look back(wards) at our week! 

Friday was Co-Op!  We enjoyed our annual "Breakfast and Bingo" activities.  

Wednesday - Youth Group!  Plus it was Josh's birthday!  I took snacks for the group (some of Josh's favorite - Fruit and Debby's Dip, Bean Dip, Honey Buns and Rice Krispie Treats!) 

My 17 year old!  Josh enjoyed a day off of school, Subway for lunch (even though he still had to go to piano lessons) and a fun night at youth group! 

We actually celebrated Josh's birthday on Tuesday night due to youth group on Wednesday.  My mom came over for a great dinner of BBQ Chicken on the grill and homemade french fries.  Plus, gifts and a Pumpkin Roll for dessert!  

On Sunday we headed North to my Father-in-laws.  The main reason was for the boys to unload this big pallet of wood pellets that he uses in his fire place. (There are two more pallets that will have to be unloaded as these get used up!)  We also were able to help with with a few other projects and then he treated us to a local pizza place for lunch that has a fabulous buffet!  

After finishing up our golf game.  We headed to dinner.  Josh took Averie out for a fabulous steak dinner while Darryl, Nate and I headed to a pretty cool burger place.  It was a great night! 

Then, we picked up Josh's girlfriend and headed into Glow Golf and Duck Pin Bowling.  It was a lot of fun. 

On Saturday we celebrated "Josh's Day".  This is a tradition we started years ago where the guys get to pick some fun things to do.  We started with breakfast at home with my mom.