Fall Lessons Learned (Updated)

Hello Friends! Yes, it's been an entire SEASON since I've written a blog. Fall is just about over so it's time to think back over the last three months and remember lessons I've been learning. September flew by, the dry days came to an end, but October and early November were filled with visits to see our favorite four kids (plus two lovely daughter-in-laws). 
Below are some things I've been learning this Fall:

The Festival of Hope and Empathy are Important!
Each November my church (Chapel Hill) holds a Fair Trade Marketplace. It has beautiful gifts and items that provide artisans around the world with a fair living wage, safe work environment, access to health care, healing from injustice, and hope for the future.  

There was a wonderful breakfast and the speaker reminded us all of the difference between Empathy and Sympathy. Watch this very short video on You Tube that does a beautiful job of explaining how to minister to loved ones going through pain, grief and suffering.

Our Free Kitten is on Santa's Naughty List!
Thor keeps growing and he's adorable, but... For whatever reason he keeps having accidents. We thought our issues would disappear after he was neutered- ha! If our bedroom door gets left open...my side of the bed becomes his target. Thor has also left his mark on Sydney's blankets and even in his own cat bed! I took him to the Vet to see if an infection might be the cause (small infection) but it's mainly behavioral since he started life as a Ferrel cat (and he wants to send a message to the dog.) He's about to spend time OUTSIDE. I'd love any suggestions or donated bottles of laundry supplies. I've been given LOTS of opportunities to remember that love is unconditional. 

We haven't gotten our Christmas tree yet~how in the WORLD are we going to keep this wild thing from destroying it?????

Apparently I have a "personal" forecast.
Computers are a bit like "Big Brother" is watching... Not only does Facebook put ads on for things you've considered purchasing (does this bug anybody else?!), but it also somehow "knew" I'd been having quite a few headaches in the last couple of weeks. The weather link said my personal forecast was beneficial for Migraines. Hmm... not sure I understand why cloudy, rainy weather will be helpful? Is it because it makes me want to curl up and take a nap? 

If you want to know how the weather affects things like your health, sports, hair and driving, Accuweather.com has an answer for you. Some Advil, a hat or hood, and windshield wipers are in my future...

If you want to know more about the climate here in Puget Sound before you decide if you want to live in this beautiful, but sometimes soggy area.  Check out this link which probably would have made me cry back in 1997 when we moved here from the Midwest, but now it's just life as I know it. We get the most beautiful rainbows here.

It's hard to choose which to watch first!
What are your favorite shows right now? We record quite a few. I'm going to be completely honest and share that since we're Empty-Nesters, there are many nights that we'll eat our dinner on lap trays as we tune into our On-Demand recorded list. Don't Judge! 

Our favorites we watch together are Blacklist, Blindspot, Madame Secretary, Timeless, Designated Survivor, and of course Seahawks games. This is Us is SO good, but I can't convince my guy to watch with me.

The headboard in the master bedroom of Madame Secretary is totally on my wish list for the future. Do you get decorating ideas from shows?

My girls and I had an amazing Gilmore Girls marathon!
No heading out on Black Friday for me! I snuggled on the couch with my daughters and one of my daughter-in-laws,  watching "A Year in the Life" on Netflix. I won't spoil it for you in case you haven't watched but OH! The ending!...

We took a walk down to the store where I work in our matching t-shirts.

I even shared on Instagram that I found a GG devotional. Jesus AND the Gilmores combined? Yay! 

While we were in Los Angeles a couple weeks ago we went on the Warner Brothers back lot tour. Oh! It was fabulous! I'm still recovering from learning that the towns of Stars Hollow (Gilmore Girls) and Rosewood (Pretty Little Liars) are the same sets with the Chapel removed. 

I had a fun time pretending I was the President. I would not really want the job.

Moves and Moving.
The baby boutique I work at packed up and moved down on the waterfront to a new location. It's so much brighter and prettier and spacious... plus the view is ridiculous and more people are popping in. Come visit me at Charlie Barnes!

As far as the moving of my body goes, I am NOT moving it enough. My YMCA membership is not being used enough and the weather has kept me from walking a lot. These excuses sound lame even to me! Anybody else besides me wishing they weren't entering the holiday season of yummy treats already feeling snug in their jeans? 

Packing, First Class and giving.
We flew down to California to visit our oldest son and his wife a couple weekends ago. Fall in L.A. isn't quite as toasty as Palm Springs. I packed for HOT weather, instead of mild and warm. I definitely looked like a tourist and did several repeat outfits. I'll know better next time. Thanks to my husband's frequent flying we were given an upgrade. First Class is pretty comfy; beverages, food, comfy larger seats, short line for the restroom. 

One of the things I love about my husband, is that if he's flying alone and he gets an upgrade, he gifts it to someone anonymously. He asks the ticket agent to chose someone who would be blessed by the surprise. Since First Class boards first and "Coach" boards later, he gets the joy of walking by and seeing the person enjoying themselves. It's true that it's better to give than receive but I won't lie...I had fun sitting in First Class. Thanks Alaska!

Prayer matters. 
Our church has been spending this Fall diving into "The Lord's Prayer." It seemed quite timely with all that has been going on around the world and in our Country. I've been trying to do a better job writing down prayer requests and answers. If you'd like to listen to the sermon series you can't click on "Lord Teach us to Pray."

Please join me in lifting up the people of Brazil as they mourn the loss of their soccer team in the tragic plane crash.

Thanks for reading about my little corner of the world. Wishing you all a wonderful Holiday season as we celebrate the birth of our Jesus! What have you been learning this fall?

I'm linking up with Emily P. Freeman at Chatting at the Sky. 

In His Grip, 
Jane
xo