November 2018 in Review
By Faye
@FayeHazel (40243)
United States
December 2, 2018 4:08pm CST
Here's the monthly re-cap that helps me keep on my goals - thanks My Lot, this is actually a lot of inspiration for me.
So, incase you hadn't been reading me for a bit - November has been a bit of an arm pit of a month. Usually November is tough for me because it's the least sunny month here, we're at the very start of 6 months of winter, and the holiday season can be taxing. This year decided to eclipse all that with multiple appointments for my mom's upcoming surgery (pre-surgery appointments) and my dad, well, -- I don't know what to call it. Completely flaking out? After being totally abandoned by his pain physician and general doctor --- his pain has switched into beyond high gear and is making everything including his many mental health issues a lot worse.
Will he be angry? Paranoid? Out of it? In a good mood? Functional? I don't know. It changes daily. So yeah, that on top of mom's surgery stuff.
There have been many little crisises - drive him to different clinics, different appointments, hospitalizations, Emergency rooms. Lots of explaining to staff members why he is the way he is, give him something for pain and he'll be better but no..... no help for him. No help for us. Very low quality of life for him and everyone around him now.
Well I meant that to be a short recap, and it turned out long.
Even in spite of all this - we did manage to have Thanksgiving, mom fixed a turkey and even though we didn't go way over board we still did get to have some fixings. I decorated for holiday season. I even got some goals done.
Exercise goal: exercise 10,000 steps or 30 minutes - 12 days out of the month
November: 14 days. So yay! Over the goal. This was largely because I had won an unlimited class pass at a local dance studio.
Recipe goal: 2 new recipes
November: tried 2 new recipes - well that is right on. Alright, so they weren't as complex as my normal. As in guacamole from package seasoning (my home made is better) and tacos out of turkey leftovers (not bad), but I say it counts.
Goal:8 books/ audiobooks
November: I did 3 . I just couldn't get into audiobooks this month with what is going on. I have been listening to a lot of positive thinking podcasts though
SO that's about it My Lot , I hope your Novembers were great and that December is wonderful to all of us
Photo: Pixabay
14 people like this
16 responses
@Courage7 (19633)
• United States
2 Dec 18
Whew just reading this tires me out Faye!!
You are amazing my friend.
Poor Dad and Mom too and everyone.
I am so sorry that this is all happening at once.
I pray for care for your Dad that is awful to be neglected like that by docs.
And I know your Moms surgery coming up blessings on her for that.
You are such a good woman Faye.
And I know your Moms surgery coming up blessings on her for that.
You are such a good woman Faye.2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
6 Dec 18
You are so kind and encouraging. Thank you for your thoughtful words.
You are amazing.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (51131)
• Canada
2 Dec 18
You did a lot during the month.
Helping with your folks would be enough to keep you hoping, but you went over and above.
I was lucky enough to start a new job early in November.
It was a big deal for me because the training is full time.
I was working part time, working 5 hours a day for 4 days a week.
So going to 40 hours was a big deal, but I've done it.
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
6 Dec 18
Thanks! I try to balance my cares of them with my cares of me.
Yay! I'm happy that you got through the training. What do you do? How do you like the new gig?
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (51131)
• Canada
6 Dec 18
@FayeHazel I am still in training actually.
For another month, but finished the classroom portion for a few weeks now, and will return after a few weeks.
I work in customer service for a very large banking company which is in both Canada as well as the US.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
7 Dec 18
@Juliaacv Oh wow, that sounds intense
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67085)
• United States
17 Dec 18
The month wasnt too bad in the goals area.. hope december is better all around though.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
21 Dec 18
Thanks! So far Dec. has been.... a challenge. But I'm still alive and haven't strangled anyone yet..... lol so that's an achievement.
1 person likes this
@Ronrybs (19186)
• London, England
3 Dec 18
I got very little done in November, but I have made a fair start to this new month. I am listening to some radio plays I have on disc. Forgotten how good they are. And I've made a start on Woodward's book about the Trump Administration.
1 person likes this
@Ronrybs (19186)
• London, England
6 Dec 18
@FayeHazel Very similar. I do enjoy 'The Scarifyers ( and there is an offshoot from Dr Who 'Jago and Litefoot' (https://www.bigfinish.com/ranges/released/jago-litefoot). After a hard day's telly watching I like to relax with these
Award-winning, full-cast original audio dramas from the worlds of Doctor Who, Blake's 7, Dark Shadows, The Avengers, Survivors, The Omega Factor, Sherlock Holmes, Dorian Gray, Pathfinder Legends, The Prisoner and Terrahawks.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
6 Dec 18
@Ronrybs lol, well that sounds interesting and you can do things while you are listening unlike TV
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
6 Dec 18
That's all good too. Radio plays you say. Sounds interesting. Like "War of the Worlds"? I guess that was originally a radio play
1 person likes this
@yoalldudes (35037)
• Philippines
3 Dec 18
That is a good recap. Recipe goals is original, I should have one.
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
6 Dec 18
Thanks! I like doing these posts monthly. Helps keep me accountable. Recipes is a good one because I love cook books and recipes... but must be encouraged to make new stuff
1 person likes this
@yoalldudes (35037)
• Philippines
6 Dec 18
@FayeHazel Monthly recap is a good idea. I think mine is annually.
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
6 Dec 18
Thanks so much. It's very difficult indeed
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (67816)
• United States
3 Dec 18
I'm sorry about the issues you're having with your dad. I've been down that road, and although every person's experience is different, I don't think that's an easy thing for anyone.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
6 Dec 18
Thanks so much for the thought, and I'm sorry that you've had similar with your dad. That is too bad
1 person likes this
@xander6464 (44180)
• Wapello, Iowa
3 Dec 18
I hope your dad is in a good mood for the next few weeks.
Despite all the troubles, you're doing good on your goals.
1 person likes this
@xander6464 (44180)
• Wapello, Iowa
6 Dec 18
@FayeHazel It sounds like it's going really good so far.
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
6 Dec 18
Thanks. We have had a few tense exchanges, plenty of pity parties (though, I mean, I guess he does have a condition worth pity) - I must realize that he hasn't been as bad as he can be. Knock on wood.
Thanks! I try to keep on keeping on
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
6 Dec 18
I know, right? It seems like recently this has been a real arm pit of a span of time. Though I will take my mom's surgery going well and Doodles being alright - a change for the better
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
9 Dec 18
@FayeHazel Yes, an arm pit span of time sums it all up perfectly. Hopefully, things will only get better from now on for us all. Think positive thought and pray!
@just4him (317040)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
5 Dec 18
You did well all things considered.
I only had one goal for November - write 50K in 30 days for the NaNoWriMo challenge and I surpassed it as I usually do at 60,122. It also explains why I wasn't here as much as I usually am, however, I did check in every day.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317040)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
6 Dec 18
@FayeHazel Thank you. Now, I need to get Thread of Evidence finished by the end of the month.
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
6 Dec 18
Yay! I knew you could do that NaNoWriMo challenge!
1 person likes this
@MommyOfEli2013 (83977)
• Rupert, Idaho
3 Dec 18
Wow, sounds like a crazy & busy month! I hope December will go better for you, and will be great!
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@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
6 Dec 18
Thank you! I will trust in that. :-)
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@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
6 Dec 18
Thanks! I was surprised honestly that I was able to do that.
Ah I am sure there are people who would be scared, but also people who would
"get" and like you art
1 person likes this
@ledante (1086)
• Taipei, Taiwan
7 Dec 18
@FayeHazel generally speaking, you'd have a better chance at success if you had less goals. Try a few at a time, let them turn into habits and then add more...
@marguicha (222880)
• Chile
2 Dec 18
I´m sorry the doctors don´t help with all it needs to be done.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
6 Dec 18
Thanks, me too. I really am quite astounded that they aren't helping, too
@andriaperry (116936)
• Anniston, Alabama
2 Dec 18
I do understand all the madness with the parents. Sounds like your father needs to be seen by mental health for evaluation, when all that is ruled out they can refer him to pain management doctor. Just stopping pain pills like that can and will cause you to feel more pain as he goes through withdrawals, my sister did this last year when they stopped her pills, she said it was total hell.
I feel sorry for him but more for you. You are a good woman to take care of your parents, its an extremely hard job being a caregiver 24/7. Tony will be the last live in I will care for, IF I ever take on another it will be a few hours a day.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
6 Dec 18
Thank you so much for your kind words and wishes. It feels so much better to know that someone out there "gets" it.
I tend to agree. I was actually so hopeful when he was admitted to the behavioral unit at the hospital. But they are scared of him, did nothing, and sent him home "to be with his family". Thanks. Yeah right.
Sorry your sister went through that and you go through it too, with Tony.
