So, November has been… awful! There is no other way of saying it. We started the month out with extreme flooding in our town that devastated us. The main shops in town were gutted with flood waters well past waist-height. It most likely will be months before they (hopefully) can recover.
Then we ended up with mice in our house. So had to spend ages trying to catch them (humanely) and find where they were getting in, block it up and disinfect all the areas they had been. So, that was how the month ended.
Finally, our beloved elderly cat Walter started to deteriorate and we had to make the heartbreaking decision to let him cross the rainbow bridge.
Honestly, I am getting really disheartened with everything right now.


Last Month’s Goals
You know the drill, let’s see how I did with November’s goals.
1. Tackle Dark Hart- NOT DONE – Not a surprisereally considering all that happened this month.
2. Outline Sea Song – DONE – I managed to get this done, it’s a rough outline but it all came in two evenings.
3. Get The Blessed Completed – NOT DONE – Again, not a surprise really considering all that happened this month.
4. Craft Fayre – DONE – I almost cancelled but it was being held by the Cat Charity where we got Walter so we wanted to support them and get a distraction. It was okay, not as busy as last year and the crowd were definitely more interested in “cheaper the better” but still sold more than I expected.
5. Read 1 Book – DONE – I read two, they were both ones I’d read before. Sometimes in times of difficulty you need to re-read a story for comfort.
6. Finish Xmas Shopping & Travel Prep – DONE – Despite my family being really difficult this year and Amazon being a d*ck and not letting me ship items directly to my family’s home so now I have to carry presents with me on the damn ferry…. I managed to complete this.

December’s Goals
Okay, let’s see what I’m tackling for this month.
1. Tackle Dark Hart
Writing Goal: I am planning to do this on the ferry when I travel to see my family. It’s an 8-hour trip so gives me lots of quiet time in the cabin to work on writing issues.
2. Edit All Outstanding Podcasts
Podcast Goal: Rachel and I have recorded podcasts into next year so we are taking a few months off, I just need to get the remaining podcasts edited, prepped, uploaded and scheduled.
3. Tick Off Six OOTs From My To-Do List
Home Goal: I have several OOTs that have been languishing on my To-Do List, I want to go back to doing my OOT days to tackle these.
4. Have A Clear Out (Donate To Charity)
Home Goal: Thankfully, the charity shop we donate to was not hit by the flood so we are going to have a clear out and take down some items for them.
~ ~ ~

With how crappy I feel after such a bad November, I am keeping my goals to just four. I have not been blogging much, that may continue for the rest of this year. 😦
Happy writing & stay safe
Ari

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That makes sense. Thanks.
I’m so sorry you’ve had a horrible november and the year’s been so hard on you. Sending you all the hugs and love ❤ Don't feel you need to do any goals if you're not ready, and remember that anything you do and achieve, regardless of whatever goals you originally have should be celebrated as an achievement, especially when gonig through such difficult times.
Thank you kindly, Kat, for you words. The end of the year was horrid, but I’m all excited for what 2024 has to offer.
The hits just keep on coming for you Ari and not in a good way. You were unscathed by the floods, but dealt with mice. I have a friend who is dealing with a mice issue in her bedroom. She reports hearing the trap snap in the middle of the night. I have issues with creepy crawly bugs, so hat’s off to both of you dealing with mice. You so deserve this time away for the holidays and sorry you have extra stuff to carry on the ferry thanks to Amazon. Sometimes nothing works out the way it is supposed to. I’m sorry to hear about Walter. Too many of your pets have crossed the rainbow bridge these past few years. Take care.
I’m sorry about your month. It’s never just one thing, is it? It has to be everything all at once. UGH. Sending love your way!
Thank you, Juntine. It was a tough time in November – never the way you want to end out a year. But I am looking ahead with hope for what 2024 has to bring.
Wishing you all the best for this year!
Wishing you the best of luck with your goals, Ari. I’m sorry for all the hardship you’ve had to endure. Happy Holidays.
Thank you kindly, Andrew. 🙂
You’re welcome, Ari.
Sorry about the terrible no-good month. It can only get better. Have a great time with your family. May I ask where they live that takes an 8-hour ferry? (My daughter was a 2-hour ferry ride away from me in BC Canada and I always got so much done in that time.)
Thank you kindly, Darlene. My parents live in England and I live in N. Ireland. It’s 8 hours because the ferry goes from Belfast all the way down to Liverpool.
I could go on a 2 hour ferry across to Scotland, but then I would have a 4-5 hour drive (in winter weather and in the dark) to reach them.