this was november
November was all about Sinterklaas! The daughter put her shoe out with drawings and carrots, she made her wish list and we ate some pepernoten. It's the first year she actively experiences Sinterklaas and every Sunday morning was reserved for unwrapping a present. I loved seeing her twinkly eyes!
This month had some changes in different areas. Changes that made my life more fun and enjoyable. I traded some 'old' things for new ones: new glasses, a new camp snap camera and even my qi gong lessons. All in all it was a wonderful month with mostly positive things. If it continues like this, I can end the year in December very happily and and with a good feeling.
november in highlights
more pink pleaseI was able to cross off something off my to-do list that I'd been pushing back for months... painting the daughter's room. In January I started this project and I painted one large wall in a warm pinkish-red color called flower bulb. The daughter immediately wanted one more wall painted. And now it's done! Good to have this crossed off.
finally, glasses!
After at least 4 failed attempts, I finally found the perfect pair! What a relief! For the past three years, I'd been searching for glasses on and off. But I always faced the same problem: every pair became too heavy after wearing them for 4+ hours. This resulted in a sore nose and often even headaches. Not pleasant, of course. But after so many attempts (and money spent), I'd practically given up hope. So I'm very glad I found my perfect pair this month.
camp snap pro
A few years ago, I took a chance and ordered a digital "analog" camera. The Camp Snap had just been released, and it was not that known yet (at least in The Netherlands). It looked like a disposable 35mm analog camera, but could take digital photos (no hassle with printing film and 100 failed shots). The creators' idea behind it: to bring back that old-school feeling of shooting photos and, above all, avoid the distraction of a screen (like when taking photos with your phone).
In the meantime, the Camp Snap Pro has been released. And this month I took the plunge. I sold my first Camp Snap on Vinted and got the new Pro version. I've been loving the new improvements!
bye, tooth
This month I said goodbye to my molar tooth. The tooth that got several treatments; a root canal treatment during my student days and last year a root tip surgery on top of that because it kept producing inflammation. Unfortunately the inflammation came back again, so the surgeon in the hospital made a very quick decision: it has to come out!
From anesthetics to pulling it out, it took just 10 minutes. I was outside again, one tooth lighter ; ) And happy that I could close chapter 'inflamed tooth' once and for all.
we broke up
If you've been taking lessons with the same teacher for four years, it feels a bit like breaking up with someone when you cancel your classes to try out something different ; ) That's what happened to me this month when I switched Qi Gong teachers. But so far I'm glad I did.
I received an email with a 7-day free trial from a teacher I've been following for years (but with whom I couldn't book lessons four years ago because they only accepted credit cards at the time).
why I love it so much
- At the beginning of the month, the teacher uploads new videos. One for every day of the month. The lessons vary between 10, 15, and 30 minutes, and everything in between. It's different every day. But the biggest advantage for me: I practice Qi Gong every day!- There's an online community; if you'd like, you can visit the forum with questions or read more about everything related to Qi Gong. Something I was missing before: more information about the five elements and the connection between Qi Gong, humans, and nature.
- The lessons are taped outdoors, so every lesson I see trees, the leaves changing color, or hear birds in the background (which, of course, helps you get into the flow and let go of everything). I'm virtually in the beautiful Canada!
- For those interested: I'm currently taking lessons with Jeff, Qi Gong for Vitality.
details worth remembering
✏ I had a 2 hour long call with a friend✏ this month, Sinupret was my lifesaver!
✏ we ordered new bathroom cabinets (in mint green steel <333)
✏ there was a supermoon for a few days (it was beautiful, but people seemed to suffer from it)
✏ a 100-day Qi Gong project milestone: I colored 50 dots!
✏ the design for the hallway cupboard was drawn up (about four times)
✏ we hung the hanging plants on the dining room wall
✏ temperatures went from 18 degrees to 6 degrees #winteriscoming
✏ we saw the Paw Patrol Christmas movie at the cinema
✏ puzzle 11 of 12 was completed
✏ I continued working on a logo for a design contest
✏ winter coats finally came out of the closet
✏ we kept our fingers crossed for a family member in the hospital
✏ the annual advent wreath was made
✏ and on Sunday the 30th, the first candle was lit
✏ the annual autumn-busy-fatigue finally set in
what I listened to
floating beams – pavel dovgaldæmningen – svaneborg kardyb
daisies – justin bieber
what I watched
7 vs wild (DE) ★★★☆☆palm royale ★★★★☆
platonic ★★★★☆
goals for november
✔ complete puzzle 11 of 12: elena essex christmas cornucopiaCheck! I'm right on schedule.
✘ finish reading we need your art
I have about 100 pages left until I finish the book. I'll try to finish it this year!
✘ finish duolingo level 31 German
I have to admit, I haven't opened the Duolingo app in a while. The owl reminds me every day how long it's been (over 40 days), and his face gets sadder every day. Sorry, owl! I hope to do some lessons again soon. But it always fades into the background so quickly because I find other things more fun to do : X
✔ paint my daughter's bedroom wall
This one worked! It wasn't a lot of work, because it's only a small wall. But the effect is huge, much cozier now!
✘ buy a flannel duvet cover
This one didn't work out, and I'm pushing it to January! Because of the list of things that had to be bought this month (Sinterklaas, Christmas, etc.), this one was a bit less important.
✔ making an advent wreath
This one worked! Every year, I struggle to come up with a wreath for our home because at work the wreath season is so busy. But at the end of November, it all fell into place. I saw a black steel candleholder, that fitted perfectly with the black steel plate we already have.
I gathered some dried materials, Christmas balls, a string of fairy lights, rust-colored Danish Ester&Erik candles, some pine greenery, and a metal brass garland from Madam Stolz. That became this year's wreath!
✔ making this year's Christmas card
This year's card I drew in Procreate, and I think the result is quite nice. But I'm considering not sending any cards out this year, so I haven't printed anything. I might change my mind at the beginning of December, but for now I'm not doing anything with it.
✔ meditate once a week
These days, I count an evening of making puzzles as meditation, because it has the same effect. My mind doesn't have to think, and it makes me feel very calm. This has helped me meditate/puzzle once a week.
goals for december
My goal for December is to not overdo the to-do's. It's the busiest month of the year, which comes with a lot of fatigue. So I want to take good care of my body, cocoon a lot, do calming things, relax, and make it fun and cozy. Most things on my to-do list will be on hold and I'm going to let them go completely until 2026!> finish the daily advent drawing in the HappyColor app
> complete the merry & bright advent puzzle calendar
> qi gong: follow as many daily lessons as possible from Jeff
> look out for a dresser for the living room
> have at least one family movie afternoon
> take an epsom salt bath
> start preparing the daughter's birthday