1. What's one fun thing on your December calendar?
Hanukkah on the 7th
Observing Christmas on December 23 this year due to scheduling issues.
Local events will be happening around town and towns near us. It's still early - I do like to go to the smaller towns and take in the small-town ambiance. Since I have my shopping done - we're game. It's a nice feeling.
2. Sherwin William's Color of the Year for 2024 is Upward, described as 'a hint of silver lining', 'a breezy blissful blue' (see sample here). Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year for 2024 is Blue Nova, where 'violet and Blue come together in a sumptuous hue'. (see sample here) Valspar's Color of the Year for 2024 is Renew Blue, a balanced blue with a touch of grayed sea -green' (see sample here).
Seems like the design world is keen on the color blue for the new year.
Of the three colors listed which one's your favorite?
I like Renew Blue which looks like the color of my kitchen cabinets. The Blue Nova is nice, too.
Do you need to paint? How likely is it you'd select one of these shades for your home? Which one?
I plan on painting the hall, our bedroom, and the master bath after the new year. I won't be choosing those colors.
Do you have a lot of blue in your home decor currently? What shade?
I have pops of blue spread throughout.
3. Do you struggle with 'the seasonal blues'?
I've suffered from depression since I was a teenager. I am happy to say, that while I can get a little blue, I now have a godly Christian Counselor I speak with every other week, and I have several avenues of support. Plus I have God.
What are some things you do to try to beat the blues?
Gardening and getting outside in nature - taking in a hike, listening to running water (the river, waterfalls, a creek or ocean) Playing with my dog and cat who make me laugh. I enjoy painting walls and redoing furniture. I'm always changing something in my house or garden. These activities are calming to me.
I purposely don't get in over my head when it comes to social events or self-imposed "stuff" I have placed on myself or my calendar. Years ago, there was a book, that was called, "Don't say Yes, when you want to say No." I was always saying YES to everything. I had a terrible history of getting overwhelmed in the past. So what has worked for me is to eliminate those stressors and to just say NO and not feel guilty about it. I can't be everything to everybody and I no longer feel compelled to do so. I do what I can do and leave the rest of it. I am learning to embrace the simplicity.
4. Blue jeans...love 'em or no? How many pair do you own? Are you married to a particular brand?
I'm a San Francisco gal, so it was always Levis but I'm no longer "married" to any brand anymore. Anything that fits me well and is at my price is my brand. I don't know off hand how many jeans I have - I’m guessing at 7.
5. In terms of holiday preparation (baking, shopping, wrapping, mailing, meal planning, etc) how far along are you? 1=haven't given it a second thought, 10=nothing left to do but wait.
Decking the Halls - I'm at level 4. Just taking it a day at a time. The tree may get put up tomorrow, but I've been saying this for the last 2 days. 😏
Baking - I don't make set plans to do all the big baking - I do it when I feel like it and if I don't, then I'm fine with that too.
Shopping - I'm 100% done. 👏
Wrapping - I don't wrap anymore. I use Dollar Tree gift bags and it's a done deal.
Mailing - I don't send out cards anymore so there are no huge mailings. I make phone calls instead.
Meal Planning - Yeah I do have to sit down with myself and decide what I want to make for the Christmas (23rd) meal. Trying to decide whether to have a traditional Christmas ham dinner or something fun like Mexican food.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
