Adios November. You were an incredibly surreal month and I’m not sad to see you in my rearview mirror. And that makes me a bit mad because I love November. It signals the start of the holiday season, and I adore Thanksgiving with all its food, food and more food. But yeah … that happened and my joy dimmed and fear and anger crept in.
While I processed more shock, sadness and anger in the past few weeks than I have in my 41 years of life, I also decided not to succumb to those bitter emotions either. To grieve and recalibrate — yes. But to give up? Nope. I aim to laugh, love and yes, fight. I shed no tears as I bid adieu to the confusion and hurt of November and march forward to the future with resolution and faith. But first, before we actually jump into December (and all my frantic cookie making!), let’s recap November.
Pet Funnies to Remind You to Laugh
I won’t lie people: I pinned like 200+ images on election night to keep my sanity.
I love every single picture here. The Beauty and Beast photo with the baby and dog is so awesome and I can’t wait until the live action movie version comes out. And the cat giving the bird makes me laugh. To be fair, Max doesn’t give me the finger when I scold him. He laughs because he knows that he has me wrapped around his big white mitts.
Funny Memes because It’s Okay to Laugh Repeatedly
For awhile I lost my ability to laugh and needed to remind myself that laughing was not only okay but much needed.
Cute Animal Pictures to Remind You to Love
To give your soul a little peace with these adorable, loving creatures.
My Thanksgiving Motto
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. This was my motto all weekend long.
What I’m Thankful for this Thanksgiving …
Rain! California has been in a long-term drought but we’ve experienced a few days of very welcome rain in November. Mashed potatoes and gravy and rolls and stuffing. Elastic pants. A cat who doesn’t mind snuggling non-stop. Rocking Christmas music (a few years ago I would have rolled my eyes at this). Buying plane tickets to go home to visit the family at Christmas. Good health and a strong mind. Books and more books! Flip-flops. Palm trees. The beach. Friends, family and my blogging tribe. And most all — hope.
Appetizers, Candies, Cookies … Oh My.
I love Christmas, especially all those yummy cookies and candies. This week, over at Eat Laugh Purr, I’m kicking off all my holiday treats with a savory appetizer: spicy candied bacon wrapped lil smokies. Delicious!
I have a couple sweet treats coming up and a lovely Christmas dessert, so a double thank-you for elastic waistbands.
We Gotta Fight for Our Rights!
A scant 10 days after he whom I refuse to name won the presidential election, the Adam Yasch Memorial Park (a children’e playground) was vandalized in New York City with swastikas and pro-you-know-who propaganda. Some of you may be like, “Who is Adam?” and you may know him better as MCA, a founding member of The Beastie Boys. He died in 2012 from cancer. And oh yeah, he was Jewish, which apparently made him bad or evil or less-than. I feel that Adam would strongly encourage people to fight for their “rights” as hard as possible, and in his honor, I’ve been rocking Sabotage.
A Mindful Migration Turn 1!!
That’s right, A Mindful Migration turned celebrated her first anniversary on November 16! It passed by without much fanfare because frankly I was distracted and forgot. 😀 But I did eventually remember! Thank you to all those who stop by and visit with me. I love this little community I’ve built and treasure the relationships I’ve created with you. It means the world to me that you choose to spend a few minutes of your busy day with me, and I’m so excited to continue this blogging journey with you.
The Max Man or Most Spoiled Kitty
Who runs my world? Max does. Here is the Chief Mischief Maker lounging in his toy box.
A Few Favorite Posts
Here are my favorite posts from the past month.
- Post-Election Words for My Daughter by Jana at Jana Says.
- Oh, To Be Great Again by Jenn at Optimization Actually.
- The F Word by Michael at Frankly, My Dear.
- It’s Just Beginning by Alyssa at Alyssa Goes Bang.
- Things I Love Right Now by Louise at Life as Louise.
- Our Grumpy Man, I am Belle and I hit 1000!!! by Rebecca Jo at Knit by God’s Hand.
- Be Okayby Tonya at Budget and the Beach.
- Swapping Countries: Fall vs Spring from Erin at TexErin in SydneyLand and Kristen at See You in a Porridge.
- 9 Financial Moves We’re Teaching Our Kids by Laurie from The Frugal Farmer.
- Looking Back, Counting My Blessings by Kathy at More Coffee, Less Talky.
One Last Laugh …
Freaking hilarious.
Yup. Still laughing.
I’m joining Kristen and Gretchen’s What’s New with You link-up.
What were your November highlights? Or low lights?
Tanya
The pic with the little grey pitbull puppy! My heart is officially a puddle.
Thanks for the post shoutout! Also, there’s no way you’re anywhere near 41. Like, not possible!
I love that last gif! And Max is so cute!
That is my favorite doggie picture. His expression is adorable and those baby blues … he’d have me wrapped around his paw after one lick! LOL! Aww … you’re making me blush! Somedays I still think I’m 25 than my knee and back aches and I remember that I’m an old coot! LOL! Max is my spoiled baby and a real keeper.
happy blogaversary!
sorry that november was a crap month for you but here’s hoping that December is much better. it’s the holidays which means cookies and cake and presents so naturally, it’s going to be great, right??
those cat memes are HILARIOUS. my favourite is the cat that sat opposite his human after he kicked over the milk. that pic ALWAYS makes me laugh.
It cannot be bad month with Santa and all those yummy treats. Now my pants may feel differently come January but I’ll be satisfied, right? 🙂 I love that expression on that cat’s face too. It really says it all.
I totally understand needing animals to soothe November & the nightmare of election it held.
YES for the Beauty & the Beast one with the dog & baby 🙂
& love the last one with the dogs crawling. Dogs are just awesome.
Thanks for the shout out with the link!
I laughed so hard when I saw that picture of the baby and her dog dressed as beauty and the beast. What a great costume! The dog and baby gif made me laugh so hard. It’s one of my go-to’s when I need a little cheering up. You’re welcome – I love how you hit 1000 things to be grateful for – that’s awesome and inspirational.
Dog/Cat shaming photos never fail to make me laugh! Those spicy bacon wrapped smokies look delicious, so many of my favourite things in one dish! Hoping December is a great month for you!
Dog shaming pics are so funny, especially because they actually look like they feel guilty. Cats are like, whatever. LOL! The bacon wrapped smokies are delicious … maybe too delicious! 😀 Thanks for stopping by!
okay… i want to try this ‘purrito’ thing hahaha. and yeah my cats don’t give me the finger, they either cower (if i am really mad) or run away laughing at me. hahaha.
thank you for the shout out for mine & erin’s post!
and that picture of Max? so freaking adorable. i want to snuggle him. congrats on your 1 year blog anniversary 🙂
I loved that pic because that is what would happen to me. Max is overall a very mellow cat but he doesn’t like be wrapped up so he would not want to make a purrito! Max doesn’t even bother to cower because he knows I’m all talk. It probably doesn’t help that yell in between giving him pets and smooches. 😀 Max is a great snuggler so he would definitely be down with that!
People are just awful. November was definitely rough month for me. I didn’t know about the playground but it’s horrible! Sigh. I don’t get it. I just have to remember that there are SO many great people in the world.
Thanks for all the fun and cute photos. I love the picture of the cat whose milk was knocked over. haha
-Lauren
I keep thinking the same thing, Lauren. There are so many good people in the world that we can’t let those few ruin it for us. That is one of my favorite cat memes too. That expression – hilarious! Thanks for stopping by!
Happy blogiversary!!!
Thank you for those animal pictures. They make the day that much better. And thank you for including my post with all those other awesome ones!
I have many words to say about what happened at Adam Yauch park but I’m not going to. I’ll save it for another day.
Thanks, Jana! Animal pics help me stay sane and remind me of goodness, which I desperately need right now. When I read about what happened at Adam’s park, it just broke my heart. And at a children’s playground – come on!!
The election was pretty overwhelming. Glad you were able to laugh with cat pictures!
… Be sure to call your state representatives if you have any strong political opinions regarding anything HE puts in place. Check out this form if you have no idea what to say: http://nymag.com/thecut/2016/11/call-your-congressperson-with-this-script-about-donald-trump.html
Also, if interested, check out the women’s march which will take place the Saturday after the inauguration in DC (and there are various others being putting together for those that can’t make it). https://www.facebook.com/events/2169332969958991/
Thanks for sharing the links, Mandy. I’m going to take a look at what events are going to be held near me since I can’t make it to DC, but I’m sure there is something in LA that I can support.
Happy Blogiversary!! 🙂
LOVE the animal pictures, especially of course the ones with cats 😉 Also love the e-card about brownies being the best medicine! So true! I can tear into brownies like nobody’s business, they are my weakness!
I had no idea that happened to Adam’s statue. That is awful…
Thanks, Mackenzie! Brownies are the best medicine, seriously. They are my weakness too. So freaking good! Yeah, it just broke my heart when I read about it and all the other hate crimes. It’s unbelievable.
Cute kitten and puppy memes get a smile out of me every time! Happy one year blogiversary! I’m so happy I found your blog….I’m pretty sure through the Show Us Your Books linkup! As much as November sucked in some respects….we also celebrated my husband’s 40th birthday and I got to spend Thanksgiving with my sister in Maryland and celebrate my niece’s 4th birthday. So for me it wasn’t all bad. I like your attitude, laugh, love and fight.
Me too, Nancy. Animal memes, whether cute or funny, just make me feel good. I’m so glad we found one another too, Nancy! I’ve found so many people through Show Us Your Books. And big-time YAYS for husband’s 40th birthday and more! I won’t lie for some time my attitude wasn’t so good but I’m not going to myself to hate – I’m going to rise above and still fight the good fight.
Oh, what a beautiful boy Max is!
That dog with those bunnies…I can’t handle the cuteness!
Great wrap up with happy, fun, positive things!!
Thank you! I think Max is quite handsome too! 😀 I love dogs when they laugh – they are just too cute and the dog with the bunnies – adorable!
Beauty and the Beast! I CANNOT HANDLE THE CUTENESS.
Right? So flipping adorable!