Week 36 In My Notebook | 2024

Monday! I must admit it was a beautiful weekend despite the unrelenting sunshine. We’ve had sunny days for over a week and I’m over it. It hasn’t been hot, thank goodness, but I’m ready for a week with nothing but rain. Bring on the rainy days of fall! I know it sounds terrible to complain about sunny days that aren’t too warm; I’m sorry.

Last week was strange. It started off with a dizzy spill, we had a remote learning day for Colton, and I worked at the library a little more than usual so I had to take each day as it came. Other than the dizziness, I knew the week was going to look different before it even started – that helps. So I gave myself a pep talk about being okay with shifting my focus to emergent issues, rather than moving forward on other things. It made a difference!

Tool details:

I’m working hard to find the things that went right last week because it was difficult in many ways. The best thing that I can come up with is that I still worked in three strength training sessions and one ride on my spin bike, despite things going awry early on. That’s a big deal for me because exercise is not the first way I’d choose to spend my spare time but I know how beneficial it is to my sleep, mood, and general health. This week I hope to get in more time with spin bike and on the yoga mat, as well as those three resistance workouts that help me stay strong.

We also spent a ton of time outside, thanks to the sunshine I wish would go away. The kids are enjoying this weather and watching them run up and down the little trails behind our house makes it bearable. It’s been nice to take my book out to the lawn chair and read for an hour or so while they get out a ton of energy. And Matthew used a personal day on Tuesday night so that he could watch the debate, so we had a mid-week fire before getting the kids cleaned up and in bed that night. That was unexpected and a lot of fun!

Slightly off topic, but the Booker Prize shortlist is going to be announced today at 2pm EST. Here’s the YouTube link to the announcement, if you’re interested in watching it live. I finished my 10th book from the longlist yesterday and have curated my top 6. I can’t wait to see which books the judges choose!

And that’s it for my Monday morning check-in. I hope to be back on Wednesday with a look at my journal pages; I think I’ve figured out how to share them but have to find the opportunity to do the work needed! My goal is to start working on that tonight so that I can get a blog post done by Wednesday.

I hope Monday treats you well and your week is relatively easy. Take good care!

22 thoughts on “Week 36 In My Notebook | 2024”

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    1. We had some chances for rain on Wednesday night but it looks like it dried up. Now it’s looking like NEXT Wednesday??! Fingers crossed.

      And YES – what a debate. The differences are stark and clear. I cannot imagine how anyone could cast their ballot for Tr*mp (don’t even want his name on my blog!!).

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  4. I think the best part of a little look back is seeing how in the midst of challenges, you found the pathway to bring you through it! Bravo to you… seeing it makes it even more wonderful! That debate though… oh my! She was more brilliant than I imagined her to be… I am eager to help turn out the vote to get her elected! I hope your Monday is wonderful! XO

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  5. It can be so hard to choose to exercise instead of other (more pleasurable) pursuits, but you’re right that it does have so many benefits — I know that I sleep a lot better on the nights I’ve had a good workout. I’m excited to see what makes the Booker shortlist, and I’m hoping it’s all books I’ve already read or own already so that I don’t have to try to get any more titles. At least we know there won’t be any Pauls on it!

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    1. Thank you, Sarah. I don’t think exercise will EVER be at the top of my “want to” list but, when it’s done, it’s always one of my proudest accomplishments for the day. I try to remember that feeling when I’m talking myself out of getting it done!!

      What did you think about the list? I was thrilled! I ordered a copy of Stoneyard Devotional and Held to reread. 5 women!!!

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  6. I look forward to that Booker list reveal. Do you know Brandi Kincaid? I saw this list that she uses for her planner.

    What worked today?

    What would I like to change tomorrow?

    How did I love well?

    Where did I find joy?

    I am that list on the monthly page of my planner now.

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  7. Commiserating over the excessive sunshine. We’re in a severe drought, and I am not at all appreciating the beautiful sunny days. A friend was home from Ireland to visit, and she’s had nothing but rain and 60 degree days for the past two years, so I was glad that at least she could fully appreciate our weather (since I have no control over it anyhow!).

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  8. Commiserating with you on the weather, we’re in a severe drought here and I would love nothing more than a week of rainy days! A friend was home, visiting from Ireland where they have had rain and 60 degree temperatures for the past two years. I was glad she could enjoy our weather (since I have no control over it anyhow!).

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  9. I see you got 4/6 right on the Booker shortlist! Nice!

    I would love some rain. It’s been SO dry here and no rain in sight for the ten day forecast.

    I’m glad that your exercise program is helping you feel better. I agree with you, it’s not easy, but it’s so worth it in how I feel when I make time for it.

    I hope this week give you what you need!

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    1. I am so happy about the Booker list! And I’m looking forward to reading Stoneyard Devotional – I’ve wanted to read it but it wasn’t easy to get my hands on. So I ordered a copy from the UK yesterday!

      I hope you get some rain soon, Laila!

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  10. I’m going to be switching up my journaling/planning/reflecting format starting in December, and I’m paying close attention to how you’re using ALL the space in those daily columns … very inspiring! (and more to come on where I’m hoping to end up once I actually HAVE the planner in hand!) We saw the sun yesterday for the first time in days and it’s cloudy again today … If it’s gonna be cloudy, I wish it would RAIN! and that Booker short list! Not sorry that Playground (or any WHITE MEN) didn’t make the cut … and really delighted I’ve already read AND loved both Safekeep and Stoneyard Devotional – those felt like longer shots to me, and seeing the short list as a whole, I think they definitely belong (I can even begrudge Creation Lake a spot). Hope this week is going better – I know that having realistic expectations is always helpful. (P.S. what blog theme do you use? if you wouldn’t mind sharing …)

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    1. Easy answer first: I’m using Baskerville 2 as my blog theme. The only thing I don’t like about it as that I can’t put in a column in the margins on my homepage – only when you click on the posts. Other than that, I’m pretty happy with it!

      I cannot wait to see more of your notebook plans, including what notebook you decide to buy. I am working on a VIDEO (yikes) to share other ways I’m using this notebook. It’s nerve-wracking!

      And Booker: I’m thrilled with the list, even though I wasn’t wild about Creation Lake. I’ve ordered Stoneyard and a copy of Held for myself because I had to return it to the library. Are you up for a Held reread in November-ish? I want to really dig into it and uncover all of its secrets!!

      And totally agree about clouds without rain. I love the rain, it’s my favorite type of weather. And I miss it a lot!

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