Nourish/Challenge: Week 50.

A highlight of the week was the Christmas celebration with Josh's family. I wore a distressed-gold-sequin jacket. Sparkle makes me more cheerful and confident, as did my mom-in-law's noticing that I'd lost more weight.

The food was excellent. I took advantage of the deviled eggs and shrimp cocktail. And Cherry 7-Up! And I'd been looking forward to Susan's homemade cheesecake! No seconds though.

Josh and I gave our nephew, Harrison, some toy dinosaurs. We thought he would blast off through the ceiling as he shook and declared, "DINOS!!!" I wish we could delight Oliver so effectively! Harrison talked easily and followed Oliver, his quieter cousin, around a bit.

My sister-in-law Sarah made us wish bracelets with a careful choice of colors. We gave photo-rich travel books to Greg and a collection of Bath and Body Works potions in Rose Water and Ivy to Susan. I received a pink fairy candle, Raspberry Sugar body wash, books, and a journal from (who else?) Peter Pauper Press! Someone has been paying attention to my blog!

Apart from throwing one picture frame in the toilet (not a metaphor), Oliver did well. We managed to stay for about three hours! Amazing!

Most social situations are a challenge for me. But I felt...included. I suggested that we take a photo of the sisters. I tried, and I could feel everyone else trying. But really, it was pretty easy, even nourishing.

What Will Be the Word of the Year for 2020?

Have you chosen your word? Choose wisely; this word will be a part of your mind and heart for a whole year (at least!).

I chose my word weeks ago, but I'm not revealing it until New Year's Day. I have decided not to use the weekly update format. I'm going to let the word seep into what I'm already writing. I'm excited.

And I can't wait to find out what your word of the year will be!

Nourish/Challenge: Week 49.

Josh and I finally wrapped gifts. I brought out all the good wrapping, boxes, and bags I could find.

Bruce had taken me to Target, where I bought wrapping including a gorgeous dark blue metallic roll with little glittery ballerina fairies. Perfect. I also got some final gifts and a pair of soft pink pajamas with white reindeer. I've started buying myself pajamas each Christmas.

Bruce and I exchanged gifts. We usually give each other many little gifts. My favorite from him was a blanket--fleecey white on one side and gray with bitsy silver stars on the other.

We kept reading and enjoying Heart-Shaped Box. I feel that my heart for reading has largely recovered--a precious Christmas present.

Nourish/Challenge: Week 48.

I've started to have Christmas thoughts. Josh officially started the season with the first song (starting with three chimes) on Aaron Neville's Soulful Christmas album. The music is a tradition from my family. Perfect. We need to play it more, along with James Taylor's Christmas album, which Josh and I discovered together.

I've been feeling separate from poetry and not just because I'm not writing it. I'm trying to read it silently again. I did finish Joseph Bathanti's Restoring Sacred Art and give it 5 stars on GoodReads.

Oliver had a week of good drop-offs at school. Crowds and rain kept me from getting a report after the last couple days of last week.

I finished Mark Vonnegut's (yes, his son) memoir. It seemed to be about mental illness, but it didn't stay there.

Bruce took me to see Frozen II, which I liked a lot. It was a bit dark. I liked some of the new songs. I think that I like Anna best more and more, but I'm more and more like Elsa. That could be its own post.

I've been enjoying books for our tiny book club. I have a few waiting. Bruce says he doesn't mind my choosing the books for now. We love discovering movies, shows, and books together.

It was mostly a nourishing week. I am challenging myself to stay with poetry and to read as much of it as possible before the year ends.

Nourish/Challenge: Week 47.

I had a wonderful, nourishing moment while I was lying down: I had a whole hour ahead in which to read. I was able to get lost in the book. If felt like a luxury, but I know it was also healthy for me.

Bruce and I finished Athena's Choice. It was surprisingly unique and thought-provoking. And we've begun Heart-Shaped Box, a novel that my brother, James, recommended to me. This will be Tiny Book Club pick #28. I've received a lot of nourishment and many challenges from those books, and I love having my best friend to walk though them with me.

Bruce told me a new Little Women movie is coming out on Christmas! The trailer looks good. I'm impressed with some of the cast. Mom said we'll sneak away on Christmas to see the movie. I can't wait! I adore the Winona Ryder version, and I think I may have seen it on Christmas too.

One evening, Bruce and I didn't watch shows or a movie. We watched a few Honest Trailers and just talked, catching up. That fills me.

I began reading IT. Somehow, the length doesn't seem so overwhelming on my phone as it does in physical book form. I think it's going to draw me in, challenging me turn by turn. I stayed up late reading--when did I last do that?

Nourish/Challenge: Week 46.

Time is confusing me. I look at my Google calendar and at the sticky notes in my journal many times a day. Maybe I can start the new year better-oriented.

Thanksgiving was lovely. Josh kept watch over Oliver, so I could talk and listen. James came over and made me laugh as usual. We sat with Mom and Shane around an outdoor fire. I enjoyed the food but didn't overeat--a delicate skill.

At home, I tried to read poetry for an hour. It should have been easier than it was. I'll keep trying.

While Oliver is in the bathroom, I now do wall push-ups, squats, and side bends. I need the exercise, and I want to use the time.

I took a morning bath and loved it. Sometimes just moving an indulgence a bit renews the luxury.

I challenged myself, but nourishment was right there on my path too.